Bountifull Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by Renée DiResta, Associate Research Professor at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and author of Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality, who studies social media, online manipulation, AI, misinformation, and how messages move across the internet.This conversation started with a simple question: how do we stay safe online? But it quickly became about something much bigger. How do we protect our attention? How do we know what is real? How do we keep our values intact in online spaces that are often designed to make us reactive, anxious, outraged, or hooked?Renée explains how social media platforms are not neutral. They are built around growth, engagement, data, advertising, and keeping us there. Every scroll, pause, like, and click teaches the system more about us, which means the content we see is not random. It is selected, tested, and pushed towards us because the platform thinks it might hold our attention.We talk about AI slop, scams, fake images, old videos being recirculated as new, online manipulation, audience capture, online conflict, and why it is becoming harder to tell the difference between what is real, what is fake, and what is technically real but being used in a misleading way.One of the biggest ideas from this conversation is that discernment is now a practice. It is not just about fact-checking something after the fact. It is about noticing when something is trying to bypass your judgement in the first place.Renée also shares how she talks to her own children about technology, online safety, chat platforms, privacy, and the importance of keeping communication open when something goes wrong.This is a conversation about the internet, but really it is about agency. About slowing down, paying attention, and remembering that a bountiful life is one where your time, your attention, and your choices still belong to you.Episode HighlightsHow Renée came to study social media, misinformation and online manipulationWhat platforms and algorithms are designed to do with our attentionWhy AI is making scams, fake content and deception harder to spotHow to tell the difference between what is real, true and misleadingWhy discernment is now an essential life skillHow the internet can make us more reactive, performative and disconnected from our valuesWhat audience capture means for creators and online behaviourHow to talk to children about privacy, trust and online safetyWhy a healthier relationship with technology begins with awareness, not fearTimestamps00:00 Why the internet makes everything feel urgent01:35 Renée’s path into studying social media and misinformation09:18 What platforms and algorithms are really designed to do18:10 Online communities, loneliness and rabbit holes19:45 AI scams, fake content and online deception26:51 Discernment, truth and learning to pause before reacting31:08 Online manipulation and how new technology gets exploited40:12 Audience capture and staying authentic online47:53 Online behaviour, values and taking back your attention55:33 Kids, online safety and open conversations about technology01:00:18 AI chatbots, companionship and emotional risk01:04:23 What it means to Renée to live a bountiful lifeGuest BioRenée DiResta is an Associate Research Professor at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and the author of Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality. Her work focuses on adversarial abuse online, including social media manipulation, misinformation, scams, AI-generated content, influence operations and child safety. Before joining Georgetown, she was the research director at the Stanford Internet Observatory, where she studied the abuse of online platforms and how digital systems shape public conversation.Bountifull Podcast Bountifull is a podcast exploring joy, wellbeing, creativity, connection and what it means to live a more meaningful life.

In this episode, I’m joined by Marley Rose Harris, founder of the Higher Self app and creator of the Clear the Fear method.I wanted to speak to Marley because I was interested in how she works with fear. Where it starts, how it gets stored, and why it can keep showing up in decisions around money, love, work, safety and self-worth.Marley’s life changed after losing her dad to suicide. That loss sent her into a lot of grief, but also into trying to understand what actually helps people heal. Over time, that became the work she now does with limiting beliefs, subconscious patterns and the stories people keep living from, often without realising it.We talk about Clear the Fear, self-trust, emotional safety, family, money, and the strange ways fear can keep us attached to lives we say we do not want. Marley also walks me through one of my own money ceilings in real time, which was slightly confronting, but probably useful.This is a conversation about fear, but really it is about what sits underneath it.Episode HighlightsMarley’s work with the Clear the Fear methodHow fear can show up in money, love, work, safety and self-worthLosing her dad to suicide and how grief changed the direction of her lifeWhy Marley became interested in limiting beliefs and subconscious patternsThe stories we carry without realising they are shaping our livesWhy fear often comes back to a lack of safetyBuilding self-trust and learning to feel safe within yourselfWhat happens when you stop running from a feeling and actually let yourself feel itHow old beliefs can create ceilings around what we allow ourselves to receiveMarley walking me through one of my own money ceilings in real timeThe link between pain, pleasure and the choices we keep makingWhy family, friendship and feeling at home matter more than Marley once realisedChapters00:00 Marley on money, family and what really matters00:48 Meet Marley Rose Harris03:12 Marley’s story and choosing a different path06:58 Losing her dad and beginning to heal12:38 Scarcity, abundance and changing old beliefs15:03 Why fear often comes back to safety20:43 Self-trust and creating safety within yourself31:04 How Clear the Fear works41:03 The stories we carry without realising it54:08 Pain, pleasure, money and what we move towardsGuest Bio Marley Rose Harris is the CEO and founder of Higher Self and creator of the Clear the Fear method. Her work focuses on subconscious reprogramming, limiting beliefs, fear, self-worth, money, relationships and the patterns that keep people stuck. Through the Higher Self app, Marley offers tools including hypnosis, meditations, affirmations, NLP, Clear the Fear and Neuro-Linking, designed to help people work with the beliefs and fears underneath the surface. She also works with clients through mentorship, combining subconscious reprogramming, emotional clearing and coaching. In this episode, Marley shares how grief, healing and her own experience of rebuilding her life shaped the work she does today.https://www.marleyrose.ca/About BountifullBountifull is a wellbeing and personal growth podcast exploring what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of joy, resilience, creativity and connection.Each episode features interesting people from diverse backgrounds sharing ideas, experiences and practical wisdom for living with more meaning, courage and joy.https://www.bountifullworld.com/

In this episode, I’m joined by Holly Cardew, an Australian entrepreneur, founder and friend of mine, for a conversation about ambition, self-belief, work, independence and what it means to build a life that actually feels like your own.Holly has always had a very practical kind of confidence. She does not wait until she knows everything before she starts. At 12, she was packing sponges for $5 an hour. At 14, she was working at McDonald’s and learning about systems, speed and efficiency. At 18, she moved to Paris, studied in French, and worked out how to get by as she went.That same approach has shaped her life as a founder. When she did not know how to build websites, she Googled it. When she could not afford big teams, she found contractors. When she felt like an outsider in San Francisco, as a non-technical founder without the usual Silicon Valley background, she kept going anyway.What I love about Holly is the way she thinks about life. She does not spend a lot of time worrying about whether the world is fair. Her view is that everyone is dealt a different hand of cards, and the real question is how you play yours.In this conversation, we talk about building companies, raising money, remote work, failure, confidence, asking questions when you do not know the answer, and the emotional stamina it takes to keep going when things are hard.But more than anything, this episode is about mindset. Holly is ambitious, but she is also clear-eyed about the sacrifices that come with ambition. For her, a bountiful life is about being true to what you want, finding the people and places that give you energy, and continuing to build, learn and grow in the direction that feels right to you.Episode HighlightsPlaying the hand you have been dealt, rather than getting stuck on whether life is fairLearning independence early through work, money and figuring things out for yourselfStarting before you feel ready, and learning what you need as you goBuilding confidence as an outsider, especially without the usual Silicon Valley backgroundThe value of asking questions, even when you do not know the technical answerWhy ambition often comes with sacrifice, and how to be honest about thatThe emotional side of building companies, and the pressure founders quietly carryRemote work, team culture and treating people as part of the company, no matter where they areFailure as something to learn from, rather than something that defines youDesigning a life around energy, curiosity, people and places that make you feel aliveChapters00:00 – Playing the hand you have been dealt02:06 – Growing up in Sydney and learning independence early06:17 – Early jobs, McDonald’s and learning systems10:37 – Moving to Paris at 1812:20 – What a bountiful life means to Holly13:38 – Learning by doing and building from scratch18:43 – Building ambitious things and solving hard problems26:24 – Raising money and finding the right investors29:25 – The emotional side of building companies31:34 – Feeling like an outsider in Silicon Valley35:08 – Remote work, team culture and designing a life that works37:34 – Ambition, sacrifice and what “enough” looks likeGuest Bio Holly Cardew is an Australian e-commerce entrepreneur who has spent more than a decade building in online retail and technology. She splits her time between Sydney and San Francisco, and has been recognised by Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia for her work in retail and e-commerce.Bountifull Podcast The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds. Hosted by Sian Simpson, the podcast brings together voices from psychology, science, business, creativity, health, relationships, spirituality, food, nature and personal growth to explore how we can live with more joy, resilience, connection and meaning.https://www.bountifullworld.com/

In this episode, I'm joined by Christopher Seward, a documentary filmmaker and editor whose work includes Fahrenheit 9/11, Sicko, Ariel Phenomenon (UFOs), One Child Nation, and more than 40 documentary films.Christopher edited top-grossing documentaries including Fahrenheit 9/11, winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes, and Sicko, both earning him American Cinema Editors Guild awards for Best Documentary Editor of the Year. He has also served as supervising and consulting editor on The Food Cure, Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, Wake Up, and Fire in the Blood.Christopher's work sits at the intersection of truth, emotion, curiosity, and perspective. As an editor, he has spent his career shaping complex, confronting stories into films that people can watch, feel, and understand.This conversation explores the craft of documentary storytelling, and goes much deeper than film. We discuss curiosity as a way of moving through the world, the difference between facts and emotional truth, the role of humour in difficult stories, and why being seen may be one of the deepest human needs we share.Christopher also shares his own story, from growing up surrounded by art, nature, and service, to the Navy, time on the Navajo reservation, studying cinematography at NYU, and building a life rooted in community, gratitude, and creative purpose.In This Episode, You’ll DiscoverWhy curiosity can create common ground, even when people disagree.How Christopher thinks about finding the universal human thread inside complex stories.Why facts alone are not always enough in a post-truth world.The role of emotional truth in documentary filmmaking.How humour can help people stay with difficult or painful subjects.Why documentaries need space, rhythm, and moments of relief.How Christopher’s time on the Navajo reservation shaped his spirituality and view of nature.What losing his father young taught him about impermanence, process, and savouring life.Why community requires showing up, not just belonging.How nature helps Christopher process the intensity of his work.Why a bountiful life may begin with changing how we define bounty.Timestamps00:00 – Opening reflection on truth, purpose, and being seen01:20 – Introduction to Christopher Seward02:39 – Growing up with art, nature, service, and imagination06:44 – Spirituality, church, curiosity, and questioning09:18 – What it means to live a bountiful life12:30 – Advice to his 25-year-old self14:34 – Self-trust, intuition, and learning to listen to your gut17:00 – Losing his father young and learning impermanence19:30 – Time on the Navajo reservation and indigenous wisdom26:10 – Studying cinematography and finding documentary editing30:13 – How to shape complex stories32:39 – Facts, emotional truth, and storytelling in a post-truth world35:34 – Working on intense documentaries and difficult subjects38:24 – Nature, perspective, and staying well while telling hard stories40:10 – Ariel Phenomenon and the power of first-person storytelling45:08 – Authenticity over spectacle46:02 – What Christopher looks for in a story48:25 – Humour, pain, pacing, and making hard subjects watchable51:04 – Tentpole scenes and the gravity of story55:37 – Nature as our operating system58:36 – Community, homecoming, and building belonging01:04:42 – Quickfire roundGuest BioChristopher Seward is a documentary filmmaker and editor whose work spans more than 40 documentary films. His credits include Fahrenheit 9/11, Sicko, Ariel Phenomenon, One Child Nation, and many other projects exploring politics, human rights, social issues, identity, and the unseen stories that shape our world. His work is grounded in curiosity, emotional truth, and a deep interest in helping people see complex subjects through a more human lens.Bountifull PodcastBountifull is a personal growth and wellbeing podcast exploring what it means to live a joyful and meaningful life.

In this episode, Dr Aarti Soorya explores the nervous system not as something to “fix,” but as something to understand, listen to, and work with.Aarti trained as a physician, became chief resident, and then moved into functional medicine after feeling that conventional medicine was missing something deeper. But even functional medicine, with its labs, supplements, and protocols, didn’t fully answer the questions she was asking. Her own experience with insomnia, fatigue, and feeling out of alignment led her toward nervous system work, yoga nidra, and a more compassionate understanding of the body.Together, we explore what happens when the body gets stuck in survival mode, and why symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, digestive issues, low mood, brain fog, insomnia, people-pleasing, and shutdown can all be signs of a nervous system that no longer feels safe.Aarti explains the vagus nerve, fight, flight, freeze and fawn responses, and why stress itself isn’t always the problem. The real issue is whether we can recover. Rather than simply “managing stress,” she invites us to think about adaptability: the ability to be with our own physiology without fear, and to gently build capacity over time.This conversation is also full of practical, grounded tools. We talk about yoga nidra, breath, posture, cold exposure, movement, blood sugar stability, rest, play, creativity, connection, and why joy is not a luxury, but part of a resilient system.At its heart, this is a conversation about learning to stop fighting the body and start listening to it. Because sometimes the symptom is not the enemy. Sometimes it is the message. Episode HighlightsWhat the nervous system is and how it shapes how we think, feel, and respond to lifeThe difference between coping, stress management, and true adaptabilityHow chronic stress can contribute to insomnia, fatigue, gut issues, anxiety, and low moodA simple explanation of the vagus nerve and why it matters for overall healthThe four common stress responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawnWhy symptoms may be messages from the body rather than signs that something is wrongHow yoga nidra helped Aarti recover from insomnia and burnoutPractical tools for building a more resilient nervous systemThe role of joy, play, dance, and connection in healingWhy rest is essential for creativity, repair, and long-term wellbeingChapters00:00 Adaptability and learning to feel safe in your body02:19 Aarti’s journey from medicine to nervous system work06:31 Insomnia, burnout, and the missing piece in healing09:46 Understanding the nervous system in plain English14:51 Cortisol, chronic stress, and why symptoms appear17:15 The difference between coping and true adaptability20:49 Signs your nervous system may be dysregulated28:23 Fight, flight, freeze, fawn, and “functional freeze”31:10 How yoga nidra helped Aarti recover from insomnia38:08 Healing without overhauling your whole life41:47 Why joy, play, creativity, and connection matter42:16 Sleep, safety, and listening to your body46:33 Cold exposure, breath, and building resilience53:37 Epigenetics, lifestyle, and personal agency59:49 Dance, movement, and coming back to joyGuest BioDr Aarti Soorya is an integrative medicine practitioner and physician whose work brings together conventional medicine, functional medicine, lifestyle interventions, nutrition, neuroplasticity, and Yoga Nidra. She is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, and has completed functional medicine training.Through Jiya Health, Dr Soorya helps people understand the nervous system, build physiological resilience, and use practices like Yoga Nidra, nervous system mapping, and lifestyle changes to support long-term health and adaptability.The Bountifull PodcastBountifull is a personal growth and wellbeing podcast exploring what it means to live a joyful and meaningful life.bountifullworld.com/podcast/

Denise Chapman Weston is a Playologist, therapist, inventor, and deeply imaginative thinker whose work invites us to look again at one of the most misunderstood parts of being human: play.In Part 2 of this conversation, Denise takes us beyond the story of her own childhood promise and into the deeper question of what play actually is. Not just fun. Not just recreation. Not just something children do before they grow up. For Denise, play is one of the clearest ways we can understand who we are, what comes naturally to us, and how we find our way back to ourselves.She shares a simple but powerful exercise: remember how you played when you were around seven. What did you love doing before you were trying to be impressive, productive, sensible, or useful? Maybe you built things, made up stories, climbed trees, dressed up, organised objects, created worlds, or found joy in something no one else quite understood. Denise believes those memories are not random. They hold clues about your natural skills, your instincts, and the way you were already learning to belong in the world.This conversation moves through so many unexpected places: Tupperware lids, Disney Imagineers, bone flutes, punch cards, theme parks, magic wands, technology, imagination, and what Denise calls the “arm pretzel” — the person who is physically present, but not yet ready to join in.Through it all, Denise returns to a beautiful idea: play is not separate from life. It is woven through how we invent, connect, create, remember, and become more fully human.At its heart, this episode is about play as wisdom. It is an invitation to look back at what once delighted you, not with nostalgia, but with curiosity. Because the way you played may still have something to teach you.In This Episode, You’ll DiscoverWhy play is much more than fun, recreation, or something children doHow the way you played at seven may reveal something about who you areWhy childhood memories can hold clues about your natural skills and instinctsWhat a Disney leader’s love of matching Tupperware revealed about her workHow play, music, invention, and technology are more connected than we thinkWhy some of humanity’s greatest inventions may have begun with pleasure and playHow Denise moved from therapy rooms to museums, toys, attractions, and theme parksWhy imagination is our “original operating system”What Denise means by the “arm pretzel” and why reluctant participants matterHow play can help us remember what makes us humanChapters 00:00 Denise on wisdom, AI, and play as a skill01:31 What role does play have in living a bountiful life?03:28 What childhood play can reveal about your skills05:58 The Disney Tupperware story10:12 Play as a compass13:34 What is play?16:45 Bone flutes, punch cards, code, and invention24:11 Remembering what you loved to do29:03 Denise’s work with theme parks and large-scale play experiences33:10 Imagination as our original operating system36:48 The “arm pretzel”41:18 What to do if you are in an arm pretzel moment43:22 Quickfire round47:50 Denise turns the questions back on SianGuest Bio Denise Chapman Weston is a Playologist, therapist, inventor, author, and Adjunct Professor at Purdue University. She is the Director of Imagination at Invent Worlds and founder of Infinite Kingdoms, with more than 150 patents and 30 products to her name. Her work spans play, technology, storytelling, and human connection, including attractions for Disney, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Six Flags, and children’s museums worldwide.About Bountifull Bountifull is a personal growth and wellbeing podcast exploring how to live a joyful and meaningful life through conversations on psychology, science, resilience, connection, and practical wisdom for living well.bountifullworld.com

Denise Chapman Weston is a Playologist, therapist, inventor, and deeply imaginative thinker whose life has been shaped by a promise she made to herself as a child: never stop playing.In Part 1 of this conversation, Denise shares the origin story behind that promise. Growing up in Chicago with a Shriner clown for a father, she was surrounded by humour, imagination, and a sense that life did not have to be taken too seriously. But at around six years old, she felt something begin to shift. As children move towards adulthood, magical thinking often starts to fade. Standing on her bed and looking into the mirror, Denise made a serious promise to herself that she would never fully let go of play.That promise became a through-line in her life. Denise went on to work as a therapist, specialising in play therapy, before becoming an inventor with more than 150 patents. She describes invention as a process of both retreating inward and returning outward — noodling, wallowing, absorbing information, then testing ideas in the world to see whether they create connection.A central theme of this episode is Denise’s belief that technology should not replace human connection, but serve it. While many people see technology and AI as something to fear, Denise sees them as a kind of magic — powerful tools that need wisdom, intention, and human-centred design. Her “magic campfire” invention reflects this philosophy: a technology-enabled gathering place designed to bring people together, amplify storytelling, and create belonging.At its heart, this episode is about childhood imagination, creative courage, invention, and what it means to stay connected to the playful, curious, possibility-filled parts of ourselves. It is the story of how Denise became Denise — and why she believes play, technology, and human connection are far more intertwined than we might think.In This EpisodeThe promise Denise made to herself at six years old to never stop playingHow growing up with a Shriner clown for a father shaped her imaginationWhat it means to be a PlayologistHow Denise moved from therapy and play therapy into inventionWhy noodling and wallowing are part of her creative processHow she thinks about solitude, belonging, and idea developmentWhy Denise sees technology and AI as magic, not something to fearThe idea behind her “magic campfire” inventionWhy she believes technology should serve human connection, not replace itHow play, imagination, invention, and wisdom all connectChapters00:00 Denise on the promise she made to never stop playing01:52 Welcome to Denise’s extraordinary home02:16 Growing up in Chicago with a Shriner clown for a dad04:55 The promise Denise made to herself at six years old08:02 What it means to live a bountiful life09:55 Belonging, solitude, and the creative process12:57 Wallowing, noodling, and invention15:12 How Denise gets in and out of her own head19:38 What she would tell her 25-year-old self21:03 What it means to be a Playologist23:20 Why Denise sees technology as magic25:59 AI, wisdom, and the human side of technology31:08 The magic campfire invention38:15 Why technology should connect people to people40:42 Reclaiming what it means to be humanGuest BioDenise Chapman Weston is a Playologist, therapist, inventor, author, and Adjunct Professor at Purdue University. She is the Director of Imagination at Invent Worlds and founder of Infinite Kingdoms, with more than 150 patents and 30 products to her name. Her work spans play, technology, storytelling, and human connection, including attractions for Disney, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Six Flags, and children’s museums worldwide.About BountifullBountifull is a personal growth and wellbeing podcast exploring how to live a joyful and meaningful life through conversations on psychology, science, resilience, connection, and practical wisdom for living well.https://bountifullworld.com/

For a lot of people, getting older does not feel like winding down. It feels like being pushed to the edges before you are ready. In this episode, Andrew Middleton shares what happened after a LinkedIn post about turning 66 unexpectedly resonated with thousands of people who felt exactly the same. What followed was not just a viral moment, but the beginning of a much bigger conversation about age, work, relevance, and the quiet shock of realising the world may be starting to see you differently before you see yourself that way.At the heart of this conversation is Andrew’s idea of the INDY: I’m Not Done Yet. It is both a phrase and a growing community for people who know they still have something to contribute, even as traditional career paths begin to narrow. We talk about the emotional reality of ageing in the workplace, the loss of status that can come with later career life, and the experience of being made to feel invisible, sidelined, or quietly moved on before you are ready. Andrew speaks with honesty about his own journey through this, and the deeper challenge of working out who you are when the old identity no longer fits.We also explore what happens next. For many people, this stage of life leads not to full retirement, but to something much more mixed, uncertain, and unexpectedly creative. Andrew shares how many find themselves becoming their own boss, building portfolio careers, learning new skills, trying new things, and earning money in ways they never expected. It is not always easy, but it can open up a very different kind of freedom.A big part of the episode centres on Andrew’s idea of “soft retirement” and what he calls the dangerous decade: that stretch of later working life where the old script starts to break down, but the new one has not yet been written. We talk about rethinking life in four quarters, the reality that we are living longer, and the possibility that this stage of life can still be useful, expansive, and full of possibility. Rather than seeing later life as one long holiday, Andrew makes the case for something richer: a third quarter shaped by contribution, reinvention, and the freedom to do things differently.Episode Highlights• Why “I’m not done yet” became a rallying cry• The shock of feeling sidelined before you are ready• Ageing, relevance, and the loss of identity at work• What to do when your old role no longer fits• Why later life often means becoming your own boss• Portfolio careers, side hustles, and unexpected reinvention• Learning new skills and staying open to change• The “dangerous decade” before traditional retirement• Soft retirement versus stopping cold• Why living longer changes the whole picture• Health, money, relationships, and planning for the third quarter• A more hopeful vision for what comes nextTimestamps00:01:22 The post that sparked a global conversation00:04:01 I’m Not Done Yet and the birth of INDY00:08:53 From corporate life to self-employment00:14:15 Identity, ego, and feeling invisible00:19:09 Portfolio careers and unexpected reinvention00:27:45 Why retirement needs a rethink00:32:26 Soft retirement and the third quarter of life00:36:50 Health, money, relationships, and planning for what matters00:50:07 What generations can learn from each other00:56:22 Reinvention, freedom, and possibilityGuest BioAndrew Middleton is the founder of INDY, I’m Not Done Yet, a community for people over 50 exploring purpose, relevance, and what comes next. He has a background in corporate and charity leadership and now works as a consultant, writer, and speaker focused on later-life work and reinvention.https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcmiddleton/https://www.imnotdoneyet.co.uk/Bountifull PodcastBountifull is a personal growth and wellbeing podcast exploring joy, resilience, purpose, health, relationships, and meaningful living through thoughtful conversations with experts, creatives, and interesting people from diverse backgrounds.

In this episode of the Bountifull Podcast, I’m joined by Eri Kardos, a relationship coach and founder of Relearn Love, for a practical and honest conversation about what it actually takes to build healthy, connected relationships.Eri challenges the idea that we should instinctively know how to do relationships well. Instead, she frames them as a skill set most of us were never taught. From communication and boundaries to intimacy and conflict, we explore what it means to learn love consciously rather than relying on patterns shaped early in life.A big part of the conversation focuses on communication. How do you say what you actually mean in a way someone can hear? And how do you listen without jumping to defend or fix? Eri shares simple but powerful tools, like inviting someone into a conversation, being clear about what you need, and creating space to truly be heard.We also unpack the idea that not everyone communicates or processes in the same way. Some people think out loud, others need time. Some are direct, others more indirect. Understanding these differences can remove a huge amount of friction and make relationships feel a lot easier.Conflict is another key theme. Rather than something to avoid, Eri reframes it as an opportunity for connection. Most arguments are not about what’s happening in the moment, but about old patterns being triggered. When you start to see it that way, you can approach conflict as a team rather than opponents.At its core, this episode is about taking responsibility for how we show up in relationships. Learning the skills, letting go of assumptions, and creating something that feels supportive, energising, and genuinely good to be in.Episode HighlightsWhy most people were never taught how to build healthy relationshipsThe core communication skills that help you feel heard and understoodHow to listen with presence instead of reacting or defendingWhy inviting someone into a conversation changes everythingUnderstanding internal vs external processors and direct vs indirect communicationHow unspoken expectations create tension in relationshipsWhy conflict is often about old wounds, not the present momentReframing conflict as a way to build connection and repairThe role of boundaries, intimacy, and keeping relationships feeling aliveLove labs, experimentation, and keeping relationships playful and juicyTimestamps00:00 Why relationships are a skill we’re never taught03:00 Eri’s background and journey into relationship coaching10:00 Communication and how to be clearly heard18:00 Listening, presence, and creating space for connection26:00 Personality styles and how people process differently34:00 The Relearn Love framework43:00 Relationship agreements and expectations50:00 Conflict and learning how to fight well56:00 Practical tools for navigating conflict in real timeGuest BioEri Kardos is a relationship coach, speaker, and founder of Relearn Love, a global platform helping people build healthier, more connected relationships. With a background in sexual psychology and leadership development at Amazon, she has worked with individuals, couples, and organisations around the world. Eri is also a TEDx speaker and author, known for her practical, science-backed approach to communication, conflict, and intimacy.About the Bountifull PodcastThe Bountifull Podcast is a personal growth and wellbeing podcast exploring how to live a more joyful and meaningful life. Through thoughtful conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds, the show covers topics like mental health, relationships, resilience, and human behaviour, offering practical insights and real stories to help you live well.

In this episode of the Bountifull Podcast, I’m joined by Carylynn Larson, an organizational psychologist, executive coach, and mental health advocate, for a deeply important conversation about mental health in the workplace, stigma, leadership, and what it really means to create environments where people can thrive.Carylynn shares her own personal journey with an eating disorder and reflects on how that experience shaped both her life and her work. We talk about the reality that mental health is not binary — it exists on a spectrum from thriving to despair — and how many people are quietly struggling while trying to appear “fine.” We also explore why work can so often become a place where people feel pressure to perform rather than a place that supports people, not just performance.A big part of this conversation centres on the idea of healing communities — not in a fluffy or abstract sense, but in the practical, everyday ways we can show up for each other with care, listening, vulnerability, and courage. We also unpack burnout, emotional detachment, shame, and the kinds of environments that can either support us or slowly wear us down. We also explore how to navigate difficult conversations with candour and care, particularly when there are power dynamics at play, and how to raise concerns without being dismissed or labelled as “difficult.”In This Episode, You’ll Discover:Why mental health is not binary — and how most of us move between thriving, coping, and quietly strugglingWhat burnout and emotional detachment can really look like at work — especially in people who appear “fine” on the surfaceHow workplace culture shapes wellbeing — and why some environments support us while others slowly wear us downWhy stigma and shame keep so many people silent — even when help is availableWhat “healing community” actually means — and why care and accountability need to go hand in handHow to notice when someone might be struggling — and what genuine support can look like in practiceHow to have difficult conversations with candour and care — without avoiding the hard stuffWhat to consider when there are power imbalances at work — and how to raise concerns thoughtfullyWhy listening, vulnerability, and small moments of care matter more than we thinkHow the way we show up affects the people around us — for better or worseChapters00:00 – Why mental health at work matters more than we think02:14 – Carylynn’s background in organizational psychology and leadership07:39 – Her personal mental health journey and lived experience with an eating disorder14:42 – The current state of mental health in the workplace16:12 – Why mental health exists on a spectrum, not as a binary20:23 – What workplace care actually looks like in practice27:30 – How to raise concerns without being labelled “difficult”31:07 – Dynamic leadership and supporting people differently at different times33:42 – Stigma, shame, and why people often don’t ask for help44:11 – What Carylynn means by “healing communities”53:09 – Small ways leaders can create more human workplaces56:08 – How to be a bridge for someone who might be struggling57:59 – A powerful story about noticing, support, and what can change when people care1:06:17 – Quickfire questions1:08:51 – Final reflections on the impact we have on each otherGuest BioCarylynn Larson is an organizational psychologist, executive coach, speaker, and mental health advocate focused on leadership, workplace culture, and wellbeing. She is also the founder of Rock Recovery, a nonprofit supporting people recovering from eating disorders and body image struggles. Her work is shaped by both professional expertise and lived experience.www.carylynn-kemp-larson.info/About Bountifull Podcast Bountifull is a personal growth and wellbeing podcast exploring joyful, meaningful living through conversations on psychology, resilience, science, and practical wisdom.www.bountifullworld.com/

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, I sit down with Carl Honoré, the bestselling author who helped bring the Slow Movement into the mainstream, for a conversation that feels deeply timely. We explore why so many of us are rushing through our lives, where our obsession with speed actually comes from, and what it’s quietly costing us in the process. From memory and creativity to relationships, health, joy, and even intimacy, this episode is a powerful reminder that many of the best things in life simply cannot be rushed.What I love about Carl’s work is that “slow” is not about opting out of ambition, throwing your phone in a river, or moving to the countryside to grow organic carrots. It’s not about doing everything slowly. It’s about learning how to do things at the right pace, or what musicians call tempo giusto — the correct tempo for each moment. Knowing when to lean in, when to rest, when to be fully present, and how to stop treating every part of life like something to optimise, measure, or race through.This conversation is full of thoughtful, practical, and often unexpectedly funny reflections on modern life: the history of clocks, the “virus of hurry”, why busyness can become a form of avoidance, and how slowing down might actually help us live more fully, love more deeply, and remember our lives better. If you've been feeling overstretched, overbooked, or like life has become a bit of a blur, or you're already rethinking how you move through life, this is a conversation worth your time.HighlightsWhy so many of us confuse busyness with living wellCarl’s wake-up call and the moment he realised he was rushing through lifeWhere our obsession with speed, time, and productivity actually comes fromWhy slowness is not laziness, giving up, or opting out of ambitionThe idea of tempo giusto and finding the right pace for each part of lifeHow speed affects memory, creativity, pleasure, relationships, and healthWhy busyness can become a way of avoiding the deeper questions of lifePractical ways to slow down, including walking, journaling, boundaries, and saying noWhat modern work gets wrong about pace, productivity, and performanceWhy some of the most meaningful parts of life simply cannot be rushedChapters 00:00 Why slowness is actually pleasurable02:35 How did we get so busy?05:57 The bedtime story that changed Carl’s life08:02 What life looked like before slowing down09:37 Why speed makes life feel blurry11:38 How Carl became the face of slow living13:57 What it means to live a bountiful life14:48 What Carl would tell his 25-year-old self16:14 Slow living is not what you think18:11 The invention of time and the rise of hurry24:27 How to change your relationship with time29:17 Walking as a tool for clarity31:30 Why you need a not-to-do list33:28 How to slow down without giving up ambition36:53 Can you have both success and balance?37:58 Carl’s real-life slow living experiments40:48 The hidden cost of always being “on”44:45 Is slow living only for privileged people?47:21 Slowing down in love, sex, and relationships52:32 Why the best parts of life can’t be measured53:13 Are we forgetting how to connect?55:25 Why young people are drawn to slow living59:32 What Italy gets right about lifeGuest Bio Carl Honoré is a bestselling author, broadcaster, and two-time TED speaker, widely regarded as the voice of the Slow Movement. His first book, In Praise of Slow, has been published in 36 languages, and the Financial Times described it as “to the Slow Movement what Das Kapital is to communism.” He has since written five more books, including The Slow Fix, Bolder, and Under Pressure. His online keynotes have racked up more than 10 million views. www.carlhonore.infoBountifull Podcast Bountifull is a podcast about living a joyful and meaningful life. Through thoughtful conversations with interesting people, we explore practical wisdom for living well.www.bountifullworld.com

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, I sit down with astrologer Steve Judd for a conversation that goes far beyond horoscopes, stereotypes, or who should date a Libra.Steve has spent more than four decades reading charts and helping people understand themselves through the lens of astrology. In this episode, we explore what astrology actually is, what it isn’t, and why so many people are drawn to it when they’re trying to make sense of themselves, their patterns, and the seasons of life they’re moving through.We unpack the foundations of a birth chart — planets, signs, houses, and aspects — and Steve explains them in a way that is surprisingly grounded and easy to follow. Rather than framing astrology as fate or fixed outcomes, he sees it as a tool for reflection, timing, and self-awareness. Not something that tells you what will happen, but something that can help you understand what might be unfolding, and how to work with it.One of the most fascinating parts of the conversation is our deep dive into astrocartography — a branch of astrology that maps your chart onto the globe to explore which places may support different parts of your life, from home and relationships to purpose and work. It opens up a really interesting question: not just who am I, but where might I thrive?Whether you’re deeply into astrology or just astrology-curious, this episode is really about something bigger: understanding yourself more honestly, trusting your own timing, and getting a little more perspective on the strange and beautiful experience of being human. And, as Steve reminds us, not taking it all too seriously.Episode Highlights: What astrology actually is and why it is often misunderstoodThe difference between prediction, forecasting, and free willHow to understand planets, signs, houses, and aspectsWhy astrology can be a tool for reflection, timing, and self-awarenessWhat sun, moon, and rising signs actually meanHow Steve thinks about patterns, cycles, and personal developmentA simple introduction to astrocartography and locational astrologyHow different places in the world may support different parts of your lifeThe difference between astrocartography and relocation astrologyWhy understanding what you want matters before seeking answersWhy humour, perspective, and self-honesty matter so much in lifeChapters00:00 – Astrology, self-understanding, and perspective03:00 – Steve’s path into astrology08:08 – What astrology is and how it works13:53 – The history and origins of astrology17:20 – Sun, moon, and rising signs explained21:02 – Prediction, forecasting, and free will23:42 – What a birth chart can reveal26:38 – The search for where we belong27:13 – Astrocartography and place34:02 – How location can shape home, work, and relationships40:13 – Steve’s documentary and the future of astrology42:43 – Where to start if you’re curious44:23 – Why astrology doesn’t judge49:13 – Consistency, approval, and joyGuest BioSteve Judd is a British astrologer, teacher, and speaker with more than 45 years of experience in the field. He began studying astrology in the late 1970s and has since completed more than 40,000 chart readings, building a global audience through consultations, courses, events, and his long-running YouTube channel. Known for his direct, practical style, Steve’s work focuses on natal chart interpretation, relationships, timing, and astrocartography. He also holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology from Bath Spa University.https://www.youtube.com/c/stevejuddastrologyhttps://www.stevejudd.co/About the Bountifull PodcastBountifull is a personal growth and wellbeing podcast exploring what it means to live a joyful and meaningful life. Through conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds, we explore psychology, science, resilience, and practical wisdom for living well.https://www.bountifullworld.com/

“Find things that you’re passionate about and go and work on those.”In this episode, Michael Fox shares the story behind Fable and the journey that brought him to the world of mushrooms, food innovation, and purpose-driven business. We talk about entrepreneurship, the lessons he’s learnt across his three startups, failure, changing your mind as you learn, and how life experiences can quietly reshape what you care about and the work you want to do. We also talk about burnout, family, nature, gratitude, and what he values now.Episode highlightsMichael’s upbringing across small mining towns in Australia and the entrepreneurial instinct that showed up earlyThe lessons he’s learnt across three startups and how each business shaped the nextFailure, burnout, and what it takes to start againHow his father’s cancer diagnosis changed the way he thought about food, health, and the wider food systemWhy changing your mind as you learn can be a strengthThe story behind Fable and why mushrooms became the foundation of the businessWhat makes shiitake mushrooms so interesting from a flavour, nutrition, and processing perspectiveThe difference between mushrooms and mycelium, and why that mattersMichael’s thoughts on fibre, vitamin D, protein, and the health potential of mushroomsRaising money again and building with more discipline the second time aroundFamily life, nature, gratitude, and what matters most to him nowChapters00:01:56 Michael introduces Fable and explains the company’s mushroom-based product00:02:49 Growing up in Australia and early entrepreneurial instincts00:05:17 What a bountiful life means to Michael00:05:40 Advice for his 25-year-old self00:06:10 Why passion for the product matters in business00:07:01 His three startups and lessons from building consumer businesses00:08:33 The original idea behind Shoes of Prey and what it taught him00:13:27 Burnout, stress, and perspective during difficult seasons00:15:43 How food, health, ethics, and the environment reshaped his thinking00:18:02 Changing your mind as you learn00:19:07 Why trying to convert people did not work, and what does00:24:29 Why mushrooms00:28:00 Shiitake stems, supply chains, and how Fable thinks about production00:31:45 Mycelium vs mushrooms00:36:13 Fibre, protein, calories, and vitamin D00:40:16 Mushroom foraging tours and the Zac Efron Netflix feature00:42:43 Fable’s restaurant and meal kit partnerships00:44:11 Building a business that feels more aligned00:45:39 Product-market fit, raising less capital, and building differently00:48:05 Raising money and starting again after failure00:52:40 Moving from the Sunshine Coast to Brooklyn00:55:28 Nature, city life, and staying connected to what mattersGuest bioMichael Fox is the co-founder of Fable, a food company creating mushroom-based products designed to help people eat less meat. Before starting Fable, he built earlier consumer businesses including Shoes of Prey and Sneaking Duck. In this conversation, he shares what those experiences taught him about entrepreneurship, customers, product-market fit, and starting again. Michael grew up in Australia, studied at the University of Queensland, and now lives in Brooklyn, where he moved to help grow Fable in the US market.https://www.fablefood.co/linkedin.com/in/michaelfox1About the Bountifull PodcastThe Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through conversations on personal growth, happiness, emotional wellbeing, resilience, health, creativity, and meaningful work. Hosted by Sian Simpson, each episode features interesting people from diverse backgrounds sharing real stories, practical insights, and life lessons to help us live with more joy, purpose, and connection.https://bountifullworld.com/

“Music is one of the most powerful tools we have, and most of us aren’t tapping into what it can actually do.”Music surrounds us every day—on the radio, in our headphones, in the background of our lives. But what is it actually doing to our brains, our emotions, and our bodies?In this conversation with neurologic music therapist Emily Polichette, we explore why music has such a powerful impact on how we feel, think, and connect with others. Emily shares insights from neuroscience, mental health, and their own clinical work to explain why music can unlock emotions that words sometimes cannot reach.Along the way we explore everything from why certain songs stay stuck in our heads, to the role music plays in emotional processing, anxiety, community, and even trauma recovery. Emily introduces the idea of “emotional constipation”—how modern life encourages us to suppress difficult emotions—and how music can help release and move those feelings in healthy ways.The conversation moves between science and lived experience, touching on topics like neuroplasticity, mindfulness, cultural identity, and why singing or listening together can transform isolation into connection.You’ll likely never listen to music in quite the same way again.Episode HighlightsWhy music activates so many different areas of the brain at onceHow music can access emotions that words sometimes cannot reachThe concept of “emotional constipation” and why modern life suppresses feelingsHow playlists can be used intentionally to support mood and mental wellbeingThe role of rhythm, tempo, and sound in regulating the nervous systemWhy singing or making music together builds connection and communityMusic’s role in trauma recovery and collective healingThe power of silence and listening in emotional processingHow music can become part of your personal toolkit for difficult seasonsWhy curiosity, play, and creativity matter more than musical abilityChapters00:00 Why music preference is so fascinating00:32 What it means to live a bountiful life04:54 Discovering music therapy and the science behind it07:30 What a music therapy session actually looks like11:00 Why music activates the whole brain13:26 How music can rebuild neural pathways after injury15:15 Using music to support mental health and anxiety18:45 Music as mindfulness and attention training21:30 The idea of “emotional constipation”27:50 Neurologic music therapy and the science of rhythm34:10 Why the brain is so responsive to music40:10 Music, identity, and living authentically44:10 Silence, sound, and emotional awareness51:00 Music and healing in trauma-affected communities54:35 Building a personal music toolkit for lifeGuest BioEmily Polichette is a neurologic music therapist working at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute in Utah. Their work explores how music can support emotional wellbeing, neurological rehabilitation, and human connection.Emily specialises in neurologic music therapy, an evidence-based approach that uses rhythm, sound, and musical engagement to support cognitive, emotional, and physical health. Their work spans mental health care, trauma recovery, and community research projects exploring the role of music in healing and cultural identity.Through both clinical practice and research, Emily is deeply interested in how music engages the brain, regulates the nervous system, and creates spaces where people can express emotions that may be difficult to put into words.About the Bountifull PodcastBountifull is a podcast about personal growth, wellbeing, and how to build a more joyful and meaningful life. Through conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds, we explore psychology, resilience, science, and practical wisdom for living well.https://www.bountifullworld.com/

What happens after trauma? Western culture often gives us a binary: move on or stay broken. In this episode, psychologist Dr. Thea Comeau offers a more nuanced and humane alternative: integration.We explore post-traumatic growth not as a neat redemption story, and not as a requirement, but as a possibility that can sit alongside pain, grief, confusion, and ongoing struggle. Thea explains how trauma can shatter our assumptions about safety, identity, and how the world works, and why healing is rarely neat or linear. For some people, recovery means finding their way back to who they were. For others, it means building something new.We also talk about what helps in the aftermath of trauma: surviving minute by minute, finding 1% more comfort where you can, taking manageable bites of processing through titration, and letting go of the idea that there is a “right” way to suffer or heal. Thea shares why “at least…” statements are so often harmful, why support matters, and how trauma can sometimes clarify what matters most.This is a grounded conversation about complexity — about making room for suffering without reducing someone to it, and allowing space for growth without forcing it.Key points covered / episode highlightsWhat post-traumatic growth is, and what it is notWhy trauma can disrupt identity, safety, and a person’s sense of meaningThe difference between surviving, healing, and growingWhy healing after trauma is often non-linearThe five areas of post-traumatic growthThe role of titration: processing a little, then stepping awayWhy “at least…” statements can minimise pain rather than honour itThe importance of being heard, supported, and taken seriouslyHow trauma can shift values, priorities, and relationshipsWhy integration can be a more honest frame than “moving on”Chapters00:00 Introduction: trauma, suffering, and the idea of integration07:16 What is post-traumatic growth?07:16 What is trauma, and what helps in the early days15:10 Why growth is not the “right” outcome16:53 Thea’s Northern Ireland research and values change after loss20:50 The five key areas of post-traumatic growth23:39 Misconceptions about growth, and why it should never be expected34:08 Why disruption matters, and what happens when core beliefs break38:37 How growth happens, what helps, and why social support matters46:36 The harm of “at least…” statements and how to better support someone53:12 Matching the right tools to the right phase of healing55:08 Trauma, complexity, and the false binary of “move on or stay broken”Guest bioDr. Thea Comeau is a registered psychologist, researcher, and Assistant Professor at Concordia University of Edmonton, where she directs training for the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program. Her work sits at the intersection of trauma and thriving. She's spent years studying how people find positive transformation after some of the worst experiences of their lives. Her doctoral research at McGill University took her to Northern Ireland, where she explored how personal values shifted among families who had lost loved ones to the conflict. That question, how do people hold pain and still build something meaningful, continues to drive her research, her teaching, and her clinical practice. She's also deeply invested in the wellbeing of the next generation of therapists, studying how training impacts clinician development and wellness.About Bountifull PodcastBountifull is a personal growth and wellbeing podcast exploring how to live a joyful and meaningful life. Through conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds, we explore psychology, science, resilience and practical wisdom for living a good life. https://www.bountifullworld.com/

“Sometimes not knowing the rules is the thing that lets you see what’s possible.”Mallun Yen’s life and career have been shaped by not quite fitting the mould — and learning to see that as an advantage.Growing up as the daughter of immigrants, Mallun often felt like an outsider. She spent years trying to blend in, to understand the unspoken rules around her. But over time, she realised that being on the edges gave her a different perspective — one that allowed her to observe more closely, spot patterns, and see opportunities others might miss.Her career reflects that same thinking. From starting as a lawyer, to leading intellectual property at Cisco, to building a company from zero to public in just three years, Mallun has consistently taken paths that didn’t quite follow the traditional route. Not having the “right” background became a strength — freeing her from assumptions about how things are supposed to be done, and allowing her to think differently.In this conversation, we explore the deeper lessons behind that journey — from the importance of relationships and feedback, to the courage it takes to speak openly about things that are often left unsaid.Mallun shares candid reflections on identity, grief, mental health, and menopause — and the power of talking about experiences that many people carry quietly. Her perspective is grounded and thoughtful, offering a reminder that connection often starts with honesty.We also explore her work with Operator Collective, a venture fund built around community, bringing together experienced operators to support founders based on real-world experiences with people who have been there, done that, and are currently doing it.This is a conversation about perspective, courage, and rethinking where value comes from — and a reminder that not fitting the mould might be the very thing that allows you to build something meaningful.Episode HighlightsWhy being an outsider can become a powerful advantageThe freedom that comes from not knowing “the rules”How feedback can shape better decisions and relationshipsRethinking what it means to be “political” at workThe role of community in building companies and careersWhy sharing personal stories creates connectionThe reality of grief, mental health, and high performanceOpening up conversations around menopause and women’s healthBuilding a different kind of venture capital modelWhat it means to live a bountiful lifeChapters: 00:00 – Thinking differently by not knowing the rules03:00 – Growing up as an outsider and trying to fit in10:00 – Observation, pattern recognition, and advantage15:00 – Learning relationship building and feedback20:00 – Sharing stories, grief, and mental health25:00 – Menopause, identity, and workplace realities30:00 – Career journey from law to founder to VC35:00 – Building Operator Collective40:00 – Feedback, naysayers, and decision-making44:00 – What it means to live a bountiful lifeGuest Bio: Mallun Yen is the Founder and CEO of Operator Collective, a venture capital fund and community designed to bring experienced operators into startup investing. The fund manages over $150 million and brings together operators from leading technology companies including Salesforce, Stripe, and Slack.With more than two decades of experience across law, technology, and venture, Mallun has built and scaled organisations from startups to Fortune 100 companies. She previously served as Vice President of Worldwide Intellectual Property at Cisco, where she led global strategy and played a key role in major acquisitions.https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallun/About Bountifull:Bountifull is a podcast where we explore what it means to live a bountiful life in a world that often feels fast, noisy, and complicated. Through thoughtful conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds, we explore the ideas and experiences that shape how we live, and how we can have more joy in our lives, every day.

“Notice the nature around you — and take time to just be.”In this conversation, Holli-Anne Passmore explores the powerful relationship between nature, wellbeing, and meaning in life. Her work focuses on how small, everyday interactions with the natural world can shift how we feel, think, and experience our lives.We often think of nature as something we have to travel to — mountains, oceans, national parks. But what if the real shift comes from simply paying attention to what’s already around us?Holli-Anne shares that it’s not just time in nature that matters — it’s the quality of attention we bring to it. Noticing the sky, the trees, the small details in everyday life can create a measurable impact on wellbeing, helping us feel more connected, calm, and alive.The conversation also explores the difference between feeling good and living a meaningful life, why boredom is essential for creativity, and how slowing down can help us understand what truly matters.This is a grounded, practical conversation about how to live more fully — not by doing more, but by noticing more.Episode HighlightsWhy nature is not “out there” — it’s all around usThe science of nature and its impact on wellbeingWhy noticing nature matters more than time spent outdoorsThe emotion of “elevation” and feeling deeply connectedMeaning vs feeling good — what actually mattersWhy boredom is essential for creativityLiving at “human speed” instead of constant hustleHow nature can reduce loneliness and increase connectionUnderstanding the environments where you feel most aliveThe concept of “enough” and letting go of moreChapters00:00 — How nature impacts wellbeing03:00 — What makes life feel meaningful09:50 — What a bountiful life really is11:20 — Why boredom matters19:20 — What is nature connectedness24:20 — Nature prescriptions and mental health29:00 — Cognitive benefits of nature33:30 — Meaning vs feeling good36:00 — Nature, time, and “enough”39:20 — Finding environments that suit you46:00 — Nature in cities and everyday life54:40 — What people misunderstand about nature58:50 — Tools for tough days01:03:30 — Final reflections on living wellGuest BioHolli-Anne Passmore is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Concordia University of Edmonton and a leading researcher in nature connectedness, wellbeing, and meaning in life. She is the Director of the Nature-Meaning in Life Research Lab and her work focuses on practical, everyday interventions that help people improve mental health, reduce loneliness, and live more meaningful lives through their relationship with the natural world.The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through thoughtful, honest conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds. Each episode weaves together real stories, practical ideas, and personal reflections on topics like well-being, resilience, connection, creativity, and meaning. In a world that can often feel noisy and disconnected, Bountifull offers a space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters, helping listeners find more joy in their lives, every day.https://www.bountifullworld.com/weekly-question/

When full-time work ends, the daily structure and identity that came with it shifts, sometimes in ways people don’t anticipate. In this conversation, Klay Williams shares what he’s learned from coaching people through this transition, including insights from a documentary series following three individuals navigating retirement.Klay’s background is unusual. He began as a purpose coach working with Fortune 500 executives at companies such as Google and Airbnb. During the pandemic, he noticed older adults increasingly reaching out — not for career advancement, but for something else entirely. That pattern led him to shift his practice and create The Just Beginning Project, focused on retirement transitions.This conversation explores both the practical and personal dimensions of retirement: how routine, relevance, and daily rhythm change when work structure falls away. We discuss why financial planning addresses only part of the picture, how long-standing patterns can resurface, and what Klay has observed about loneliness, identity, purpose and contribution during this stage of life.Topics explored: The shift in routine, identity, and daily structure in retirementWhy people often feel unfulfilled even after careful planningHow the loneliness epidemic shows up for older adults- The difference between following inherited expectations versus your own pathWhat happens emotionally when people feel replaced after leaving workPractical approaches to retirement that go beyond financesThis is a thoughtful exploration of a life phase that many plan for financially but few prepare for emotionally, and what Klay has learned from working directly with people moving through it.Watch the docuseries here: www.justbeginning.info/Chapters: 00:00 – Life beyond full-time work05:12 – Klay’s shift from executive coaching to retirement transitions12:45 – What changes when work structure disappears20:30 – Planning financially versus preparing personally29:10 – Loneliness, relevance, and contribution38:25 – Inherited expectations and identity47:50 – Feeling replaced after leaving work56:40 – What carries forward into life beyond careerGuest Bio – Klay WilliamsKlay Williams is the founder of The Just Beginning Project, an initiative focused on supporting people as they move beyond traditional careers and into retirement. He began his career as a purpose coach working with Fortune 500 executives at companies including Google and Airbnb. During the pandemic, he noticed a growing number of older adults seeking guidance not about career progression, but about life after work. That shift led him to refocus his practice and create a documentary series following three individuals navigating retirement in real time. His work centres on the practical and personal realities of this transition.Learn more about Klay here: www.klayswilliams.com/Bountifull Podcast: The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through thoughtful conversations about personal growth, purpose, health, money, and connection. Featuring scientists, creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts from diverse fields, the show looks at the practical and human side of building a meaningful life.Explore our podcast episodes here: www.bountifullworld.com/podcast/Follow us on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/bountifullpodcast/

We talk a lot about women’s cycles — hormonal, emotional, seasonal — but rarely about men’s. In this episode, Jed Diamond helps bring men into the conversation.With over 50 years of experience working with men and families, Jed explains how men move through powerful biological and emotional rhythms across their lives. From daily and seasonal hormonal shifts to the deeper transition of male menopause, these cycles influence mood, energy, libido, relationships, and identity — often without men or their partners realising what’s happening.Rather than framing midlife as a crisis, Jed offers a different lens: a threshold. A moment where the first half of life gives way to a second mountain — one shaped less by proving and producing, and more by purpose, connection, and contribution.We also explore Irritable Male Syndrome, unpacking why irritability, anger, withdrawal, and low mood can emerge at any age, and how stress, diet, isolation, and unresolved trauma interact with male biology. Throughout the conversation, the emphasis is practical and compassionate, grounded in real-life patterns rather than blame or stigma.This episode is an invitation to build literacy around men’s inner lives — for men themselves, and for anyone who lives, works, or loves alongside them.In This Episode, We ExploreHow men’s hormones fluctuate and influence mood, energy, and behaviourWhat male menopause is — and why it’s often misunderstoodThe relationship between testosterone, irritability, depression, and withdrawalIrritable Male Syndrome and its biological, psychological, and cultural rootsHow stress, diet, sleep, and connection affect men’s emotional wellbeingWhy midlife can be a transition rather than a crisisThe role of friendship, vulnerability, and emotional awareness in men’s healthChapters:00:00 – Midlife, hormones, and men’s health02:25 – Jed Diamond’s story and why this work matters09:30 – Do men have cycles?18:40 – Male menopause and midlife change29:20 – Irritable Male Syndrome39:15 – Relationships and emotional wellbeing50:20 – Purpose, ageing, and the second half of lifeGuest Bio: Jed DiamondJed Diamond, PhD, is a leading voice in men’s health, hormones, and emotional wellbeing. He is the founder of MenAlive and the author of 17 books, including Surviving Male Menopause and The Irritable Male Syndrome. For more than five decades, his work has focused on helping men understand life transitions, emotional health, and relationships.https://menalive.com/About the Bountifull PodcastThe Bountifull Podcast is where we explore what it means to live a bountiful life. Through thoughtful, honest conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds, the podcast explores joy, resilience, health, purpose, and the small choices that shape how we live every day — especially in a world that often rewards more, faster, and louder.Over on email every week we share a question for reflection and conversation — you’re welcome to join if that feels useful, sign up here.

In this episode of the Bountifull Podcast, we explore the often-hidden role of shame and stigma in shaping how we live, relate, and see ourselves — and why understanding them is essential to living a truly bountiful life. Through a thoughtful, grounded conversation with clinical psychologist Magenta Silberman, we unpack how shame differs from guilt, how it quietly embeds itself into identity and self-worth, and how it can limit joy, connection, and meaning when left unexamined.Shame is an internal and deeply personal experience — less about what we’ve done and more about who we believe we are. Unlike guilt, which can motivate repair and help us grow, shame tends to drive silence, withdrawal, and disconnection. We explore how shame can be adaptive in small doses, helping guide behaviour and social belonging, but becomes harmful when internalised or amplified by stigma, cultural expectations, or environments that clash with our values.The conversation looks closely at where shame shows up: in relationships, work, achievement, identity, parenting, mental health, and especially during the vulnerable transition into adulthood. We also examine how stigma — around mental illness, therapy, trauma, substance use, or identity — compounds shame and prevents people from seeking support, particularly in rural or conservative communities.Importantly, the discussion moves beyond theory into lived experience, including the gap between performance and self-worth, the pressure of “shoulds,” and the quiet shame of feeling unfulfilled even when life looks successful on paper. We explore the body–mind connection through the lens of trauma and the nervous system, highlighting how shame can be felt viscerally and why avoidance so often becomes a coping strategy.Ultimately, this episode offers a compassionate reframe: naming shame is the first step to loosening its grip. By bringing shame into awareness — rather than silence — we create space for connection, self-trust, and a more expansive, bountiful way of living.Episode Highlights: The difference between shame and guilt — and why it mattersHow shame shows up in work, relationships, identity, and achievementWhy shame thrives in silence and isolationThe role of stigma in mental health and help-seekingHow shame lives in the body and nervous systemThe pressure of “shoulds” and performance-based self-worthWhy naming shame is a powerful step toward freedom and connectionTimestamps: 00:00 – Why we avoid naming shame05:00 – Identity, achievement, and living a bountiful life11:30 – Shame vs guilt and why the difference matters17:40 – When shame helps us — and when it harms us25:45 – Performance, “shoulds,” and self-worth30:40 – Stigma, silence, and asking for help34:10 – Shame in the body and nervous system45:30 – Naming shame and choosing connectionGuest Bio: Magenta Silberman is a clinical psychologist based in Utah who works across assessment and therapy, supporting people through a wide range of mental health experiences. Her work is grounded in a trauma-informed approach, with a particular interest in identity, self-worth, and how shame and stigma shape our lives.About the Bountifull Podcast: The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through thoughtful conversations focused on personal growth, mental health, and everyday self-improvement. Each episode offers practical insights and reflective “how-to” ideas to help listeners build more joyful, resilient, and meaningful lives.https://bountifullworld.com/

In this episode, Michael Breus, widely known as The Sleep Doctor, explores why sleep is not just a health habit, but the foundation of how we feel, think, and experience life.Michael explains that sleep underpins our ability to experience joy, regulate emotions, focus, and build resilience. When we’re sleep deprived, positive emotions are dampened, negative thinking intensifies, and even small challenges can feel overwhelming. In his clinical work, he’s seen how improving sleep can create rapid, life-changing shifts—often faster than almost any other intervention.The conversation moves beyond basic sleep hygiene to address the psychology of sleep, particularly anxiety and fear. Michael shares that many sleep issues are driven not by biology alone, but by emotional and nervous-system safety. When fear—financial, relational, or psychological—is present, heart rate stays elevated, making true rest impossible. Addressing the root cause, rather than simply medicating symptoms, is often where real healing begins.Michael outlines five small, evidence-based changes that can dramatically improve sleep: waking at the same time every day, hydrating before caffeine, stopping caffeine by early afternoon, limiting alcohol in the evening, exercising daily (but not too late), and getting morning sunlight. He also emphasises the often-overlooked role of environment—especially pillows, air quality, and allergens—in sleep quality.A key highlight is Michael’s chronotype framework—Lions, Bears, Wolves, and Dolphins—which helps people understand their natural sleep rhythms. Rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all schedule, he encourages aligning sleep, work, and relationships with individual biology.Ultimately, this episode reframes sleep not as a problem to fix, but as a relationship to tend. When sleep improves, life doesn’t just feel easier—it becomes more spacious, joyful, and bountiful.Episode HighlightsHow sleep supports emotional balance, focus, and everyday joyWhy working with your natural sleep rhythm matters more than optimisationThe connection between sleep, calmness, and nervous system regulationSimple, realistic habits that support better sleep over timeWhy rest helps us show up more fully in our lives and relationshipsTimestamps:00:00 – Why Sleep Shapes How We Feel, Think, and Experience Life. Sleep as the foundation for mood, focus, energy, and joy.07:45 – Why Sleep Advice Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All. Chronotypes, circadian rhythms, and working with your biology.15:20 – How Sleep Affects Mood, Emotions, and Joy. Why sleep deprivation amplifies negativity and dulls positive emotion.24:10 – Sleep, Anxiety, and Nervous System Safety.How fear, stress, and emotional load keep the body from resting.36:30 – Simple Ways to Improve Sleep Without Perfection. Small, realistic changes that make a meaningful difference.47:50 – Sleep, Relationships, and Shared Rhythms. Navigating different sleep patterns with partners and families.55:30 – How Better Sleep Changes Resilience and Everyday Life. What becomes possible when we’re truly well rested.Guest BioMichael Breus, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, board-certified sleep specialist, and best-selling author, widely known as The Sleep Doctor. With over 25 years of experience in sleep research and clinical practice, he is one of the few psychologists to pass the American Board of Sleep Medicine exam. Michael is the author of The Power of When and Good Night, and regularly appears in global media including The Today Show, Oprah, and CNN, sharing accessible, science-based insights on sleep and wellbeing.https://sleepdoctor.com/About Bountifull PodcastThe Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through honest, thoughtful conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds, sharing real stories, lessons, and reflections on work, life, and meaning.https://bountifullworld.com/

In this episode, Cheryl Sew Hoy explains how gut health affects immunity, mental health, hormones, and resilience, drawing on both microbiome science and her own experience building Tiny Health. She shares how a deeply personal journey into motherhood led her to rethink gut health as a foundation for lifelong wellbeing, and why the microbiome - particularly in the first 1,000 days of a babies life - plays a critical role in immune health, resilience, and mental health.The conversation moves through what the gut actually does, why balance and diversity matter more than eliminating bacteria, and how the gut–brain connection works, including the surprising number of key hormones produced in the gut. Cheryl also explains why testing and education offer clearer direction than supplements or guesswork, and how factors like birth interventions, antibiotics, diet, sleep, and stress shape gut health over time. Alongside this, she reflects on entrepreneurship, parenting, and sleep, and what it means to live a bountiful life that feels full, without taking life too seriously.Episode HighlightsHow gut health influences immunity, mental health, energy, and resilienceThe gut–brain connection and the surprising number of hormones produced in the gutWhy the first 1,000 days of a babies life matters for expecting parents, mothers and fathers. Testing versus guessing in a crowded wellness landscapeWhat entrepreneurship teaches us about patience, perspective, and long-term thinkingLiving a bountiful life as something full, complex, and ongoingTimestamps 00:00 — Why gut health matters and what sparked Tiny Health09:00 — What living a bountiful life means to Cheryl12:30 — Gut health basics and why balance matters more than trends18:00 — The gut–brain connection and hormones made in the gut26:00 — Diet, fibre, fermented foods, and supporting gut health33:00 — The first 1,000 days and why gut health matters for parents55:00 — Entrepreneurship, long-term thinking, and perspective01:02:00 — Sleep, resilience, and not taking life too seriouslyGuest Bio: Cheryl Sew Hoy is an entrepreneur, speaker, angel investor, and founder & CEO of Tiny Health, a health-tech company focused on evidence-based gut microbiome testing for families. She launched Tiny Health in 2020 after her first child faced eczema, sleep challenges, and food sensitivities, which led her deep into microbiome science and the importance of the first 1,000 days of life. Cheryl holds a bachelor’s degree in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering and a master’s in Engineering Management and Data Mining from Cornell University. Before Tiny Health, she co-founded the software startup Reclip.It, which was acquired by Walmart Labs, and served as the founding CEO of the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC), building the region’s startup ecosystem. She’s known for blending technical expertise with a systems perspective on health, startups, and resilient living.About the Bountifull PodcastThe Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through honest, thoughtful conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds, sharing real stories, lessons, and reflections on work, life, and meaning.https://www.bountifullworld.com/

In this episode of the Bountifull Podcast, we sit down with Tasman Denize, the creator behind NZ Wild Adventures, to talk about life lived close to the land - hunting, fishing, boating, camping, and many very remote solo adventures. Raised in the remote Marlborough Sounds, Tasman grew up with solitude, self-reliance, and a deep connection to nature as everyday realities.Our conversation explores what the wild teaches you about patience, risk, and responsibility, and why simplicity matters. Tasman shares how time alone helps him feel clearer and more grounded, why he works as little as possible to support the life he wants, and how adventure doesn’t require expensive gear—just preparation, awareness, and respect for your limits.This episode is a quiet reflection on freedom, self-trust, and the kind of peace that comes from slowing down and paying attention — and as Tasman says, the word that describes his life? Free. How absolutely inspiring is that.What talk about: Growing up remote in the Marlborough Sounds and learning self-reliance earlyLife shaped by solitude, correspondence schooling, and time outdoorsWhy Tasman chooses simplicity over excess — in gear, work, and lifestyleLong solo trips, including extended time in FiordlandRisk, safety, and knowing where the line is between bravery and recklessnessHunting and gathering for food, and Tasman’s philosophy around eating what you catchWorking as little as possible to spend more time in natureWhy expensive gear isn’t necessary — preparation and awareness matter moreHow time alone helps Tasman feel clearer, calmer, and more groundedFreedom, family, and spending time where it really mattersKey ThemesSimplicitySelf-trustSolitudeFreedomNature as a grounding forceOne Line That Stays With UsWhen asked what word best describes his life, Tasman’s answer is simple: Free.About the Bountifull PodcastThe Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through honest, thoughtful conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds, sharing real stories, lessons, and reflections on work, life, and meaning.⁠https://www.bountifullworld.com/

Hayden Paddon is one of the world’s top rally drivers, but this conversation goes well beyond motorsport. It’s about what happens inside a person when the pressure is high, the stakes are real, and nothing is guaranteed.Hayden grew up around racing and has spent most of his life pushing cars — and himself — to their limits. From winning a World Championship in Argentina to losing his seat, his confidence, and his enjoyment of the sport, he speaks openly about the moments that shaped him. What stands out is his honesty about doubt, fear, patience, and the long road back when things fall apart. This isn’t a polished success story; it’s a grounded reflection on what it takes to keep going.Much of the conversation centres on self-trust. Hayden explains how he prepares his mind for extreme conditions, why staying present matters more than visualising outcomes, and how experience — not bravado — has made him a better driver over time. He talks about flow states, anger as a surprising motivator, and why accepting who you are can sometimes be more powerful than trying to fix yourself.We also explore the personal cost of success: years spent away from home, the loneliness of professional sport, and the moment he realised he’d stopped enjoying the thing that once saved him. Hayden reflects on what it took to reset, strip everything back, and reconnect with why he started racing in the first place.Now in a new chapter, Hayden is focused on building a team, challenging convention, and pushing innovation through electric and alternative-fuel rally cars. Throughout the episode, he returns to the same ideas: patience, loyalty, honesty, and learning to stay in the moment — whether you’re driving at 200 kilometres an hour or navigating a difficult season of life.This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation about pressure, identity, resilience, and what it really means to keep going. Hayden’s story challenges romanticised ideas of success and reminds us that meaning isn’t borrowed or inherited — it’s earned over time, often through doing rather than thinking. A bountiful life doesn’t have to look gentle, but it does need to be honest.You can find Hayden on social media here: https://www.instagram.com/haydenpaddon/About the Bountifull PodcastThe Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through honest, thoughtful conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds, sharing real stories, lessons, and reflections on work, life, and meaning.https://www.bountifullworld.com/

What if defiance wasn’t a flaw, but a skill? In this episode, Dr. Sunita Sah—physician, behavioural scientist, and author of Defy—shares how reclaiming agency and redefining what it means to say “no” can change the trajectory of our lives. Raised to equate goodness with compliance, Sunita’s journey is a powerful reminder that being agreeable often comes at a cost: to our integrity, our well-being, and our sense of self.We explore the psychology behind why we say yes when we mean no, the invisible social pressures that shape our decisions, and why discomfort is a sign—not of weakness, but of wisdom. Sunita offers a practical five-stage framework for living in alignment with your values, and explains how simple tools like pausing before responding or speaking to yourself in the third person can help you make braver, truer choices.This conversation is a compassionate guide for people-pleasers, quiet rebels, and anyone who has ever struggled to hold their ground. A bountiful life, as Sunita reveals, isn’t lived without tension—it’s one where that tension is honoured, examined, and transformed into something meaningful.Episode HighlightsWhy defiance is essential to a meaningful lifeThe difference between compliance, consent, and true defianceHow to find and clarify your personal valuesThe hidden social pressures behind people-pleasing and “yes” cultureFive stages of ethical defiance (from tension to action)Quiet defiance, false defiance, and performative rebellionSaying no with grace—and without over-explainingGuest BioDr. Sunita Sah is a national bestselling author, an award-winning professor at Cornell University and an expert in organizational psychology. She leads groundbreaking research on influence, authority, compliance, and defiance. A trained physician, she practiced medicine in the United Kingdom and worked as a management consultant for the pharmaceutical industry. She currently teaches executives, leaders, and students in healthcare and business. Dr. Sah is a sought-after international speaker and consultant, advisor to government agencies, and former Commissioner of the National Commission on Forensic Science. Her multidisciplinary research and analyses have been widely published in leading academic journals and media entities including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Harvard Business Review, and Scientific American. She lives with her husband and son in New York.Website: SunitaSah.comSubstack Newsletter: Defiant By Design   |   http://sunitasah.substack.com/LinkedIn: @drsunitasah    |   https://linkedin.com/in/drsunitasahInstagram: @drsunitasah   |   https://www.instagram.com/drsunitasahTikTok: @drsunitasah   |   https://www.tiktok.com/@drsunitasahFacebook: @sunitasahuk   |   https://www.facebook.com/sunitasahuk/About the Bountifull PodcastThe Bountifull Podcast explores how to live a purposeful, joyful life by connecting with interesting people from diverse backgrounds. Each episode unpacks practical wisdom and real stories on themes like boundaries, saying no, psychological safety, compliance, consent, and living in alignment with your values.https://www.bountifullworld.com/

What if the simplest acts of giving could transform your confidence, resilience, and sense of purpose? In this inspiring episode, resilience psychologist Dr Alia Bojilova shares why contribution—small acts of meaningful generosity—can profoundly shape our lives, communities, and well-being.Drawing from her diverse background—from a childhood in post-communist Bulgaria to her distinguished career as an Army Officer and Lead Psychologist with the elite New Zealand Special Air Service (1NZSAS), and now as a global resilience expert—Alia redefines contribution not as grand gestures, but as everyday actions that connect us deeply to others and ourselves. She reveals how contribution boosts self-worth, builds genuine resilience, strengthens relationships, and guides us toward purpose and meaning.Together, we explore the science behind why contribution matters, how even tiny gestures create powerful ripple effects, and how to integrate this practice into our daily lives. Alia reminds us that true abundance isn't about what we accumulate—it's about how generously we share our lives.✨ Episode Highlights: 🌱 Contribution Builds Identity – Small acts of giving offer immediate emotional feedback that reinforces your sense of worth, capability, and agency.✨ Excitement Is a Compass – Alia shares how fleeting moments of excitement have guided some of her most meaningful life decisions—and why listening to those sparks matters.🌦️ We Are Somebody’s Weather – Our emotional state affects everyone around us. Alia explores how being intentional about your presence can shape relationships and environments.⚖️ Equilibrium Is Essential – A bountiful life balances challenge and rest. Alia opens up about learning to say yes to pause, not just productivity.🌀 Purpose Emerges Through Action – Purpose isn't something you need to define before you begin—it grows out of contribution, curiosity, and consistent engagement.🧠 Awareness Fuels Resilience – Resilience starts with noticing how you feel and taking ownership of your state. Contribution is one of the most powerful tools for shifting it.🧃 Scarcity Can Spark Creativity – Alia’s upbringing taught her that limitations can lead to resourcefulness, joy, and deep connection—not deprivation.🤝 Contribution Creates Belonging – Belonging isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you generate through thoughtful action and care.⏳ Busyness Isn’t the Goal – Alia invites us to question what we’re actually busy with, and whether those efforts align with meaning and joy.🫶 Leadership Is Human, Not Heroic – Great leaders don’t perform—they notice, care, and contribute to the wellbeing of others in small, consistent ways.🔍 Curiosity Is a Daily Practice – In every context, from military to family life, curiosity helps us challenge assumptions and uncover what really matters.👶 Teach Contribution Through Doing – Alia’s daily practice with her son—doing something kind for someone else—offers a simple but powerful way to raise resilient, generous kids.👤 About Dr. Alia BojilovaDr Alia Bojilova is a Registered Psychologist with a focus on organizational, team, and individual resilience, leadership, and curiosity. Her extensive career includes serving as an Army Officer and Lead Psychologist with the elite New Zealand Special Air Service (1NZSAS) and the Counter Terrorist Tactics Group. Her operational experience spans Afghanistan, Syria, Israel, the wider Middle East, East Timor, and the Solomon Islands. She was awarded the NZDF Meritorious Service Medal and the United Nations Commendation for her leadership through critical incidents in Syria. Alia is also the author of The Resilience Toolkit, providing practical tools for lasting resilience and well-being.About the Bountifull:The Bountifull Podcast explores how to live a more purposeful, resilient life. Host Sian Simpson connects with interesting people from diverse backgrounds to dive into personal growth, emotional wellness, and creativity.

“So much of what’s meaningful about science is the process of discovering something that nobody else knew.”What can the universe teach us about being human? For astrophysicist and NASA program scientist Joshua Pepper, the answer lies in curiosity, contribution, and learning to sit with the unknown. In this episode of the Bountifull Podcast, we talk about exoplanets, randomness, and the emotional realities of life in science—from funding cycles and impostor syndrome to the joy of a good spreadsheet. Joshua reflects on the long arc of discovery, the privilege of asking big questions, and why we should make time to look up.This is an episode about wonder and meaning, but also one about endurance. Because sometimes a bountiful life isn’t about answers—it’s about the people you meet, the questions that stay with you, and the quiet courage it takes to keep going.✨ Episode Highlights🌍 How Randomness Shapes Our Paths – From unplanned encounters to last-minute applications, Joshua talks about the role of luck, openness, and decision-making in his life and career.🛰️ What a NASA Program Scientist Actually Does – A behind-the-scenes look at Joshua’s role supporting researchers, managing grants, and helping guide missions like KELT and LEAP.🪐 Exoplanets, Time, and Big Questions – Why the search for planets beyond our solar system isn’t just scientific—it’s philosophical. Joshua explains what these distant worlds can teach us about scale, meaning, and hope.💭 The Emotional Reality of Science – We talk about mental health in academia, impostor syndrome, and what it takes to stay committed to long-term research that may not be recognised for decades.🧠 What Curiosity Feels Like – Joshua shares what lights him up about spreadsheets, problem-solving, and the joy of discovering something truly new.⏳ Living on a Longer Timeline – Reflections on working in a field where timelines stretch across generations—and why it’s still worth it.Guest Bio:Dr. Joshua Pepper is a NASA Program Scientist and Associate Professor of Physics at Lehigh University. He supports several major space science initiatives, including the TESS mission (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite), the Exoplanet Exploration Program, and NASA’s Open-Source Science Initiative. Josh co-founded the Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope (KELT) project, which has discovered more than two dozen exoplanets, and helped build the TESS Input Catalog guiding NASA’s search for new worlds. His work blends curiosity, discovery, and a deep commitment to exploring the universe through science.About Bountifull PodcastThe Bountifull Podcast explores how to live a more purposeful and joyful life through meaningful conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds. This week, Joshua Pepper, a NASA Program Scientist and astrophysicist, joins us to explore the intersection of curiosity, discovery, and resilience. From exoplanets to impostor syndrome, Joshua reflects on the emotional realities of life in science, the endurance it takes to keep asking big questions, and why sometimes a bountiful life isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about embracing the unknown and continuing the journey. This episode reminds us that meaning can be found in the questions we ask, the people we meet, and the quiet courage it takes to keep going.

“I wanted more stuff that felt like it was mine.” Zara Jilling’s life has been defined by excellence — elite basketballer, top of her class, and a rising force in AI. But behind the accolades is a story of transition, questioning, and quiet reinvention. In this episode, she opens up about the intensity of her athletic and corporate years, the quarter-life unraveling that followed, and the slow, tender process of rediscovering joy through Pilates, friendship, and shell-painting on the beach. Zara reminds us that identity isn’t fixed — it’s shaped, stretched, and sometimes surrendered.Zara’s journey invites us to reimagine success not as achievement, but as ownership — of time, energy, and joy. She shows us that a bountiful life isn’t found in the grand gestures, but in the intentional details: planking in your living room, spotting bunnies on your morning walk, or making something with your hands just for the fun of it. Through her honesty and humour, she nudges us to let go of who we think we should be, and instead ask: What actually feels like mine?🎧 Episode Highlights – Zara DavidsonRedefining identity after high achievement Zara shares what it was like to step away from elite sport and a fast-paced tech career, and how she began to rediscover who she was beyond being “good” at things.From burnout to bunnies and Pilates She opens up about her quarter-life crisis, the slow process of creating space for joy, and how simple practices like outdoor walks and creative hobbies helped her reconnect with herself.“You never regret a swim.” Zara reflects on the healing power of nature, movement, and the outdoors — and why going for a swim is her go-to reset.Letting go of the ‘shoulds’ She discusses the pressure of external expectations, and how she’s learned to ask: “Do I want to do this, or do I just feel like I should?”The power of play, presence, and non-performance Whether it’s surfing, crafting, or Pilates, Zara now chooses activities that feel good — not ones she has to be great at. Her shift from performance to presence is a major theme in this conversation.Guest Bio: Zara Davidson is a high-performing technology sales professional and former professional athlete whose career bridges the worlds of elite sport and cutting-edge innovation. Zara is an accomplished technology Sales Executive with a track record of helping Fortune 500 companies leverage generative AI-powered solutions to achieve digital transformation. Her expertise lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence and human-centric technology, with a focus on selling innovative, impactful AI SaaS solutions that create engaging customer experiences.Most recently, she played a pivotal role at Soul Machines, where she closed the largest deal in company history and generated over 80% of total revenue in a single year. Known for her ability to connect across strategic, technical, and human dimensions, she’s collaborated with global leaders at Microsoft, AWS, Google, and more. Before entering the tech world, Zara represented New Zealand on the international basketball stage and competed at the NCAA Division I level. About Bountifull PodcastThe Bountifull Podcast is all about exploring how to live a joyful, purpose-driven life. Host Sian Simpson connects with interesting people from diverse backgrounds to dive into themes like personal growth, emotional wellness, and creativity. In this episode, Zara Davidson, former elite athlete and tech professional, opens up about her journey of reinvention. From navigating burnout and stepping away from the pressure of high achievement, Zara shares how she found joy in the simple, intentional details of life—like Pilates, nature walks, and creative hobbies. Her story reminds us that success isn’t just about performance, but about choosing joy, embracing change, and letting go of external expectations to reconnect with what truly matters.

“There isn’t one rote path that you have to take to reach a goal... it’s okay to meander a little bit and live life and kind of explore.”For Agnar Hall, the journey to NASA wasn’t linear—it was layered. In this episode, he opens up about stepping away from a PhD, working at Starbucks while healing from fibromyalgia, and embracing his identity as a transgender man. With gentle candour and sharp insight, Agnar talks about what it’s like to rewire your definition of success while still holding onto your dreams. We touch on space science, social dynamics, and the subtle bravery of taking the long way home.There’s something deeply relieving about Agnar’s outlook. He offers a map that doesn’t require urgency or perfection, only honesty and small acts of momentum. His story reminds us that meaning doesn’t arrive fully formed—it’s built through slow pivots, quiet reckonings, and friendships that feel like gravity. If you’ve ever questioned the plan you were handed or felt behind in your own timeline, this conversation is a balm.🎧 Episode Highlights Growing up in Houston with a dream to study space from age twoWhat a systems test engineer at NASA actually does Living with fibromyalgia while building a career in scienceLeaving a PhD program, working at Starbucks, and redefining “success”Exploring gender identity and transitioning during grad schoolThe emotional weight of names, myth, and kindnessFriendship, humour, and what really matters at the end of the dayWhy “titles” and urgency don’t define worth—and what doesWhat the universe can teach us about being humanThe value of speaking up when you finally have the power to be heardGuest Bio: Agnar Hall is a Systems Test Engineer at NASA and a cosmologist at heart. With a deep-rooted passion for the structure and origins of the universe, his research has spanned galaxy clusters, high-redshift gas structures, and feedback processes in distant galaxies. He holds a Master's degree from New Mexico State University and a B.A. in astronomy from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he worked on both optical and X-ray observational studies. Agnar has contributed to research at institutions like LASP and NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and his current work involves testing the software systems that support human spaceflight.About Bountifull PodcastThe Bountifull Podcast explores the power of purpose, personal growth, and living with intention through real stories and actionable wisdom. Host Sian Simpson connects with interesting people from diverse backgrounds—from scientists and entrepreneurs to creatives and leaders—to dive into themes like identity, resilience, and the importance of embracing your unique path. This week, Agnar Hall, a NASA Systems Test Engineer, shares his remarkable journey of redefining success and building a life full of meaning through small steps and quiet courage. From battling fibromyalgia to transitioning during grad school, Agnar’s story reminds us that success doesn’t follow a straight line, and that purpose is often built through life’s twists and turns.https://bountifullworld.com/

“A bountiful life is driven by action, not by money.” — Pascal WagnerWhat does it really mean to be financially free—and how do you know when you have enough? In this powerful conversation, Pascal Wagner shares his journey from startup founder to investor, unpacking the mindset, strategies, and personal challenges that shaped his relationship with money. From accumulating and managing $8.5 million in assets to caring for his mother after his father’s death, Pascal offers a grounded, honest look at wealth, responsibility, and growth.His worldview is clear and unapologetic: clarity compounds. He doesn’t sugar-coat the emotional labour of responsibility or the discipline required to build something sustainable. What he offers is a model of financial literacy rooted in values, resilience, and focus. Not chasing the next big thing—but doing the small things right, over and over. Instead of glorifying outcomes, Pascal brings it back to process. He’s not selling a dream—he’s offering a strategy. His story challenges us to ask: how do I want to live? And what kind of thinker do I need to become to get there?🎯 Episode HighlightsHow Pascal generates $265K/year in passive income—and what it actually takes to get thereWhat “enough” looks like when your goals keep shifting and your responsibilities growWhy financial freedom is built on focus, consistency, and letting go of the need to do it all yourselfPascal’s biggest lessons from managing his family’s inheritance after his father passed awayThe importance of community and mentorship in both wealth building and emotional resilienceReal talk about diversification, asset allocation, and the danger of concentrating everything in one placeA reframe of money as just one form of capital—alongside time, relationships, and learningGuest Bio: Pascal Wagner is a former venture capitalist turned passive investor who built a $250K+/year portfolio through 30+ investments. As a VC at Techstars, he deployed $150M into 300+ companies, where he learned how top financial institutions analyze deals, manage risk, and make smart investment decisions—skills he now uses to help others build wealth.Today, he educates 200K+ investors monthly as a host on the Best Ever CRE Podcast network, sharing strategies to create six-figure passive income portfolios through real estate and alternative investments. His approach helps investors build a financial roadmap, evaluate deals, and access pre-vetted institutional-grade opportunities to accelerate their path to financial freedom.Want to start building your own six-figure passive income portfolio? Get started at PassiveInvestingStarterKit.comAbout Bountifull PodcastThe Bountifull Podcast explores how to live a more purposeful and fulfilling life by diving into the real stories of entrepreneurs, investors, and creatives. Host Sian Simpson connects with interesting people from diverse backgrounds to discuss personal growth, financial literacy, emotional resilience, and living with intention. Whether it’s learning about wealth-building strategies, finding balance in your life, or creating long-term sustainability, each episode offers actionable insights to help you build a more bountiful life. This week, Pascal Wagner shares his journey from startup founder to passive investor, offering wisdom on financial freedom, responsibility, and the power of focus.https://bountifullworld.com/

What do you build when the world around you wasn’t designed with you in mind? For Emma Bates, the answer was Diem - a social search engine and online community where women’s lived experiences are turned into collective knowledge and wisdom. In this week’s episode of the Bountifull Podcast, we sit down with Emma to talk about entrepreneurship, building what you wish existed, the value of asking better questions, and why access to the right information - information that reflects who you are and what you need - can be life-changing.We explore the power of community, information, and lived experience; how to thrive in a world that often isn’t designed for you; and how to build a business and a life on your own terms. For Emma, that’s meant dedicating her work to closing the gender information gap and making the internet a less lonely place for women and marginalised groups.We also talk about what living a bountiful life means to Emma, why she avoids working weekends even while running a high-growth, funded startup, how she thinks about prioritisation, and how she’s working on healthier rhythms. Episode Highlights🔍 Redefining Search – Emma shares the vision behind Diem: a social search engine inspired by how women have exchanged knowledge for generations—through stories, shared experiences, and community.🧠 Information That Reflects You – We explore how access to the right information—information that’s shaped by context, care, and lived experience—can empower better decisions and deeper connection.🌍 Building What You Wish Existed – Emma talks about noticing a gap and turning it into a mission: designing a digital space that feels more human, inclusive, and aligned with everyday life.The Importance of Real-World Search Contexts – Emma shares why traditional search engines often fail to deliver relevant answers, particularly for women’s lived experiences, and how Diem is designed to change that.🤝 Community as a Superpower – From group chat energy to shared wisdom, we look at how Diem creates space for honesty, curiosity, and connection - especially around topics you'll find in a group chat but not on the internet. Advice for Managing Pressure as a Founder – Emma talks about setting boundaries, like not working weekends, and prioritising mental health even while running a fast-paced, venture-backed startup.✨ What Living a Bountiful Life Means to Emma – For Emma, a bountiful life means having the time and space to be present, enjoy what you’re doing, and not feel pulled in a million directions.Guest Bio: Emma Bates is the CEO and co-founder of Diem, a social search engine and platform focused on women and non-binary individuals, aiming to address the gender information gap. She is a marketer and community builder with experience in fast-growing consumer brands and a background in social media, blogging, and community management. Bates is a passionate advocate for gender equity and equality, with a mission to foster real connections and create inclusive online platforms that celebrate women and non-binary people. About the Bountifull Podcast: The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a fulfilling life, one conversation at a time. We have extraordinary guests from diverse backgrounds all contributing to our understanding of what it means to live a bountiful life.

"Food is a bridge. It's one of the few places where people let their guard down and are open to learning something new." — Adrian MillerThis week on the Bountifull Podcast, we sit down with Adrian Miller—lawyer, author, former White House advisor, and James Beard Award-winning soul food historian—for a rich conversation about how culture, history, and food shape our identity. From growing up in a religious Black household in Denver to carving out a path as a culinary historian, Adrian brings wisdom, wit, and warmth to a conversation that wrestles with hard truths and still finds joy.We talk about safe spaces, historical erasure, and what it means to hold complexity without giving up on hope. Adrian shares how food can be a site of memory, resistance, celebration, and connection. If you've ever wondered how to honour culture without appropriating it, or how to talk about hard history with humility, this episode is full of insight—and soul.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:🍗 Food as a Cultural Connector – How sharing meals can open conversations about identity, history, and race—and why soul food is both misunderstood and deeply meaningful.🏛️ Wrestling with Hard History – Adrian shares the realities of researching African American culinary history and why facing historical erasure is necessary to reclaim culture and pride.✝️ Faith, Family, and Identity – The influence of growing up in a deeply religious Black household, and how church shaped Adrian’s worldview, community, and sense of purpose.🎓 Becoming a Historian by Accident – From law school to the Clinton White House to writing cookbooks, Adrian talks about how a temporary job changed the direction of his life.🍴 Cultural Appreciation vs. Appropriation – A thoughtful take on what it means to honour food traditions without erasing the people and stories behind them.🛐 Creating Safe Spaces in Unlikely Places – How Adrian found belonging in political and spiritual communities, and why talking about race, faith, and food is essential even when it's uncomfortable.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Growing up in a religious Black household06:12 – Early experiences with race, identity, and fitting in11:55 – Soul food as a gateway to history and storytelling16:40 – Working in the Clinton White House and entering public policy23:05 – How he became a “Soul Food Scholar”30:08 – On writing about African American food culture36:21 – Cultural appropriation vs. appreciation42:18 – Faith, food, and finding safe spaces48:00 – What makes a bountiful life for AdrianGuest Bio: Adrian Miller is an award-winning food writer,recovering attorney, and certified barbecue judge.Adrian previously served as a White House specialassistant to President Bill Clinton, and as a seniorpolicy analyst for Colorado governor Bill Ritter Jr. He iscurrently the Executive Director of the ColoradoCouncil of Churches, and recently co-curated the“Proclaiming Colorado’s Black History” for the Museumof Boulder. Adrian lives in Denver, Colorado.About Bountifull PodcastThe Bountifull Podcast explores how to live a joyful, purpose-driven life through real stories and actionable insights. Host Sian Simpson engages with interesting people from diverse backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, creatives, and experts, to discuss personal growth, emotional wellness, creativity, and the importance of connection. Whether it’s learning about culture, identity, or finding purpose, each episode offers practical wisdom and inspiration to help you live a more meaningful and bountiful life.

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, professor of psychology and neuroscience, and one of the world’s leading researchers on social connection. Julianne’s work has shaped global public health policy and sparked a deeper understanding of why our relationships matter—not just emotionally, but physically, cognitively, and even biologically.Together, we explore the science behind connection—why it matters, what it’s made of, and how loneliness, isolation, and friendship shape our lives in ways we often overlook. We talk about the health risks of loneliness (yes, they’re real), why it’s hard to make friends as an adult, and how to assess and strengthen your own relationships using her concentric circles activity. This episode is both thoughtful and practical—a reminder that social connection isn’t a luxury, it’s a cornerstone of a full, rich, bountiful life.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:🌐 The State of Global Connection – Why nearly a quarter of people around the world report feeling lonely, and what the data tells us about connection trends.🧠 How Loneliness Affects the Brain and Body – The physiological stress response of isolation and the links between loneliness, inflammation, and early mortality.📊 Loneliness and Health Risks – The research behind Julianne’s groundbreaking meta-analyses on how social isolation and living alone can increase the risk of early death.🔄 The Bi-Directional Loop Between Depression and Isolation – Why loneliness and depression feed each other, and how to break the cycle.🧩 Redefining Social Connection – Julianne’s three-part framework: structure, function, and quality—and why having one close friend isn’t always enough.📍 How to Map Your Relationships – A simple concentric circles activity to assess your support network and identify areas for growth or repair.🤝 Why Connection Takes Work (and That’s Okay) – The science behind building and maintaining friendships—and why consistency matters more than charisma.🏛️ The Bigger Picture – How workplaces, policies, and communities can either support or sabotage our ability to connect—and what we can all do about it.About this episode:Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad shares why social connection isn’t just nice to have—it’s a biological necessity. From mapping your own relationships to understanding the health risks of loneliness, this episode is a practical and powerful look at how connection shapes a bountiful life.Guest BioDr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, and director of the Social Connection & Health Lab. Her groundbreaking research on social connection has been pivotal in shifting global understanding of loneliness and isolation—from emotional experiences to urgent public health issues.Julianne served as the lead scientific editor for the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, and advises organisations from the World Health Organization to the U.S. Congress. With more than two decades of research and advocacy, she’s become one of the most influential voices on how relationships shape our health, well-being, and society.About the Bountifull Podcast: The Bountifull Podcast explores how to live a more joyful, purpose-driven life through real stories and actionable wisdom. Host Sian Simpson engages with thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives to dive into topics like personal growth, emotional wellness, creativity, and living with intention. Whether it’s learning about the science of social connection, the importance of self-discovery, or the power of resilience, each episode offers practical tools and inspiration to help you create a bountiful life.

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Kristin Francis, psychiatrist, educator, and passionate advocate for brain health. In this honest and practical conversation, we explore the spectrum of mental health—from depression and anxiety to resilience and wellness—and how we can begin to understand our brains with more clarity, compassion, and curiosity.Kristin offers a powerful reframe: our brains are organs, just like our hearts or livers. And yet we treat them with shame instead of support. Together we talk about what depression actually is, how to recognise when we or someone we love might be struggling, and why healing is possible—with the right help, evidence-based treatments, and a little bit of hope.From the science of gratitude to the simple power of going outside, this episode is a reminder that small actions can make a big difference—and that no one needs to walk through it alone.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:🧠 Mental Health Is Brain Health – Why we need to treat the brain like any other organ, and how stigma is holding us back from healing.📉 Understanding Depression – How to distinguish between difficult seasons and clinical depression, and when to seek support.🔬 What’s Really Going On in the Brain – The neuroscience behind mood disorders, neurotransmitters, and why depression isn’t a life sentence.🗣️ Why Shame Doesn’t Help – How secrecy and silence make things worse, and why starting the conversation is often the first step toward healing.🧰 Practical Tools to Cope and Recover – From medication to motivation, Kristin shares science-backed strategies that help shift the brain toward wellness.🌿 The Power of Small Behaviours – Why going outside, connecting with others, and choosing helpful actions can start to change how you feel.💛 The Science of Gratitude – What actually happens in your body when you practise gratitude, and why it improves mental, emotional, and physical health.📓 Four Easy Gratitude Practices – Simple ways to build appreciation into your daily life—no guru mindset or journaling marathons required.Guest BioDr. Kristin Francis is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the University of Utah’s Huntsman Mental Health Institute. Board certified in both Adult Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, she has trained at the Mayo Clinic and spent her career supporting individuals and families through some of their hardest moments.Kristin specialises in treating depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other psychiatric conditions using family-based, evidence-informed approaches. She’s also a passionate educator and speaker, known for making mental health approachable, actionable, and hopeful. Through her work, she advocates for reducing stigma and helping people understand that brain health is just health—and that recovery is possible.Find the Bountifull Podcast Below: https://www.bountifullworld.com/https://www.instagram.com/bountifullpodcast/https://nz.pinterest.com/bountifullpodcast/https://www.linkedin.com/company/bountifullworld/https://www.bountifullworld.com/podcast/

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, we’re joined by Dirk Philipsen, Duke professor, economic historian, and one of the world’s leading thinkers on capitalism and well-being. In a world where burnout, inequality, and the pressure to grow at all costs feel ever-present, this conversation gives voice to so many of the questions we quietly carry—but don’t always have the words for.Together, we explore what capitalism really is—beyond just markets and money—and how it subtly shapes our relationships, our work, our sense of self, and our definition of success. Dirk offers a thoughtful, grounded lens on how we got here, why the system demands constant growth, and how we can begin to imagine and live into something more bountiful.If you’ve ever felt worn down by the grind or wondered whether there’s another way to measure meaning, this episode offers radical hope, practical insight, and a reminder that a better future is possible—even within the system we live in now.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:📚 What Capitalism Actually Is – Dirk breaks down the origins of capitalism, why it depends on endless growth, and how it became the dominant system shaping our world.🧠 How Capitalism Impacts Well-Being – From loneliness to burnout to housing insecurity, Dirk explains the subtle and not-so-subtle ways our economic system affects our health and relationships.💬 Why GDP Is a Terrible Measure of Success – A closer look at Dirk’s book The Little Big Number and why GDP rewards destruction but ignores care, joy, and community.🌱 What It Means to Thrive – How we can move beyond survival and into dignity, security, and contribution—not just individually, but as a collective.📊 Alternative Models and Practical Ideas – From 15-minute cities to public goods, Dirk shares real-world examples of systems that prioritise well-being over profit.💛 How to Align Your Life with Your Values – Tips on redefining success, spending intentionally, and reconnecting with what really matters.🌍 Radical Hope and the Possibility of a Post-Capitalist Future – Why abundance isn’t about having more—it’s about sharing more, caring more, and reimagining what we’re here for.Guest Bio: Dirk Philipsen teaches economic history at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy and the Duke History Department. He also serves as Senior Fellow at the Kenan Institute for Ethics, director of the Regenerative Futures Lab, and founding associate of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance.Dirk’s work focuses on the intersection of history, economics, and ethics, with a passion for making complex ideas accessible. His book The Little Big Number critiques GDP as a measure of progress and explores how we can shift toward systems that prioritise people and planet. As a teacher, writer, and thought leader, Dirk is committed to helping us understand the structures we live in—and empowering us to imagine something better.The Bountifull Podcasts explores what it means to live a bountiful life with extraordinary from diverse backgrounds one conversation at a time.

Hey friends, Welcome to Season Three of the Bountifull Podcast. This season, we’ve got eleven incredible episodes that help us explore what it means to live a bountiful life—through themes like contribution, depression, gratitude, culture and identity, entrepreneurship, passive income, social connection, exercise, and even capitalism.My goal, as always, is to bring you conversations with extraordinary people from all walks of life, who share real stories and practical wisdom. And honestly, I think you’re going to love these guests as much as I did recording with them.Over the last few seasons, a few core themes have started to emerge: contribution beyond ourselves leads to greater fulfillment and happiness, joy is a choice, and we need to learn how to thrive within the systems we’re in—even when they challenge our values. That last one is exactly what we’re exploring in today’s episode.We’re kicking off with a conversation on how to live a bountiful life in a capitalist world. Because like it or not, this is the system we’re in—and understanding how to navigate it is key to building a more joyful and sustainable life.Thanks for being part of the Bountifull community. I’m so excited to dive into this new season with you.#Podcast #PersonalGrowth #podcastlife #joyfulliving #spotify #gratitudeattitude #inspiration 

"You don’t have to believe in energy for it to affect you. You’ve walked into a room and felt tension. You’ve met people who drain you, and others who light you up. We are all picking up on energy, whether we realize it or not."This week on the Bountifull Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Rick Leskowitz, a Harvard-affiliated psychiatrist, researcher, and expert in pain management, energy healing, and consciousness. With over 25 years of experience at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Rick has spent his career exploring the connection between mind, body, and energy—long before mainstream medicine began catching up.In this episode, we dive into the #science of energy and its impact on our health, relationships, and collective well-being. Rick shares his research on phantom limb pain, group energy fields, and how our focus and intention influence both physical and emotional healing. We also explore why Western medicine has overlooked energy as a key part of #healing, and what happens when we begin to see ourselves as more than just physical bodies.If you’ve ever wondered why some places "feel different," why some people leave you feeling drained while others lift you up, or how energy plays a role in our everyday lives, this episode offers a fascinating and practical perspective.Episode Highlights:💡 How Energy Shapes Our Everyday Interactions – Why we feel drained by some people and uplifted by others, and what this tells us about how energy works.⚕️ What Phantom Limb Patients and Nature Reveal About the Body’s Energy Field – How people feel sensations in missing limbs, and what this teaches us about energy beyond the physical body, and our biofield. 🔬 Lessons from Meditation on the Mind-Body Connection – Rick’s personal insights on how meditation shapes awareness, regulates emotions, and supports healing.📍 "There’s Something in the Air"—How Energy Exists Beyond the Body – Understanding why certain places feel different, how energy moves beyond our physical selves, and the idea of consciousness as a broader field.🛠️ Practical Ways to Set Intentions and Shift Energy – How awareness, breathwork, and visualization can help you become more intentional about how you show up in the world.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Rick Leskowitz and his work at the intersection of medicine and energy04:12 – How Western medicine has overlooked energy in healing, and why that matters07:20 – Understanding the biofield and the science behind phantom limb pain12:45 – How emotions, trauma, and energy are linked in the body18:30 – The mind-body connection: why meditation, hypnosis, and intention can influence healing22:40 – Group energy in sports and society: how collective focus can shift outcomes29:15 – The surprising findings of research on meditation, consciousness, and crime rates35:50 – Why certain places feel different: exploring Earth energies and vibrational fields42:10 – Simple ways to become more aware of your energy and the energy around you48:30 – How to clear stuck energy and reset your focus for better well-being56:15 – Reflections on what it means to live a bountiful life through greater energy awarenessGuest Bio:Dr. Rick Leskowitz is a Harvard-affiliated psychiatrist, pain management specialist, and researcher who has spent over 25 years at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital studying the intersection of medicine, energy, and consciousness. His work explores how mind-body practices like meditation, hypnosis, and energy psychology influence healing, and he has extensively researched the biofield and phantom limb pain.Rick has written multiple books, contributed to over 50 scientific publications, and produced the PBS documentary The Joy of Sox, which examines the impact of group energy on sports teams. His research challenges conventional medical thinking by bridging the gap between science and the unseen forces that shape human experience.#mindfulness #meditation #energy

🌟"Most people can do anything, but a lot of people interpret that to mean they can do everything. And that’s just not true. You have to choose." 🌟The startup world is filled with big dreams, bold bets, and the constant pressure to be right. But what if the secret to success isn’t about always getting it right, but learning how to be wrong? Rowan Simpson has spent decades at the heart of New Zealand’s most successful tech companies—Trade Me, Xero, Vend, and Timely—and his journey is a testament to the power of making mistakes, adapting, and building things that last.In this episode, we talk aboutthe real startup journey—the messy, unpredictable, and often misunderstood reality of building great companies. Rowan shares his philosophy onfailure, investment, and decision-making, why he challenges the way we think about success, and how his book,How to Be Wrong, offers a fresh perspective on navigating uncertainty. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or just someone figuring out whatenough looks like, this conversation is full of insights that will reshape the way you think about risk, ambition, and growth.Episode Highlights:💡The Myth of Doing It All: Why success isn’t about doingeverything, but about makingthe right choices.🚀Behind the Scenes of New Zealand’s Biggest Startups: The untold stories from Trade Me, Xero, Vend, and Timely.📉Failure as a Superpower: Why being wrong isn’t the problem—not learning from it is.🏆What Really Makes a High-Performing Team: The crucial early hires that shape a company’s future.💰Investment & Growth: The difference between a startup that thrives and one that stalls.🎯Finding Enough: How Rowan defines success beyond financial gain and whybalance is harder than it sounds.📖How to Be Wrong: The key takeaways from Rowan’s book and why every founder should embrace uncertainty.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Rowan Simpson and his journey through New Zealand’s startup world04:08 – What does living a bountiful life mean to Rowan? A fresh take on success andenoughness07:20 – The startup myth: What people get wrong about success, failure, and overnight wins13:33 – Trade Me’s early days and the lessons learned from scaling a high-growth company18:03 – Why Rowan doesn’t call himself an "angel investor" and his philosophy on investing24:50 – The reality of startup failure and the moments that almost broke now-famous companies31:17 – The personal sacrifices behind high-growth ventures—finding the balance between work and life39:47 – High-performing teams: What makes or breaks an early-stage startup?45:03 – Money and meaning: How Rowan’s relationship with wealth has evolved49:57 – The discontent that drives ambition—and whether the grass is really greener on the other side58:25 – Founders get too much advice—how to filter the right guidance for you1:05:43 – Final thoughts and where to find Rowan’s bookHow to Be WrongGuest Bio:Rowan Simpson has been at the heart ofNew Zealand’s most successful technology companies, playing pivotal roles inTrade Me, Xero, Vend, and Timely. As anentrepreneur, investor, and advisor, he has witnessed first-hand how great companies are built—and how easily they can fail. Now, through hiswriting and investments, he’s helping shape the next generation of high-growth businesses. His book,How to Be Wrong, challenges the way we think aboutstartups, failure, and success, offering a refreshing and sometimes provocative take on what really matters.📖Learn more about Rowan’s work and his book:👉Website |How to Be Wrong |Buy the Book |LinkedInThe Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world.Join the joy channel:www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/⁠#startup #decisionmaking #enough #podcast #decision-making

"I try to squeeze every last drop out of life that I can. If I could have two or three shots at it, I would. There's just so much to explore."Ever feel like you're too old to start over? Think again.Some people tiptoe through life—Lindsay Kaldon is not one of them. A NASA project manager, nuclear engineer, Air Force officer, pilot, and mother of four, she radiates energy and curiosity, always looking for the next frontier to push, the next challenge to tackle. From working on nuclear reactors that could power lunar and Martian bases to encouraging people of all ages to pursue their dreams, Lindsay embodies a life lived to the fullest.Lindsay got her pilot's license at 41. She earned her master's degree in nuclear engineering while raising four children, studying until 2 or 3 AM every night after putting them to bed. She's still applying to be an astronaut despite rejections, because as she puts it: "Until somebody tells me I'm literally too old, I'm going to keep trying." Her journey took her from growing up as a military brat to working on U-2 spy planes in the Air Force, to Navy warships defending against electromagnetic pulse attacks, and finally to NASA's Glenn Research Center where she now manages the Fission Surface Power project—developing the nuclear reactors that will power humanity's return to the Moon.In this episode, we talk about big dreams, bold risks, and the mindset that turns the impossible into reality. Lindsay shares her philosophy of "dauntless resolution and unconquerable faith"—a quote from the Wright Brothers memorial at Kitty Hawk that has become her life mantra. We explore how she makes decisions using her "no regrets" framework, why she believes it's never too late to pursue a new career or learn a new skill, and her "zigzag approach" to overcoming obstacles (if one door closes, find another way in).We also dive into the incredible work she's doing at NASA on the Artemis missions, why nuclear power is essential for establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon, and what a thriving lunar economy might look like. Lindsay explains how small nuclear reactors could enable everything from mining lunar resources to 3D printing supplies on the Moon's surface, and why this technology represents a game-changing advancement not just for space exploration but for energy independence here on Earth.Whether you're considering a career change at 40, feeling like you've missed your chance, struggling with work-life balance, or just need a reminder that reinvention is possible at any age, Lindsay's story will inspire you. This is a conversation about living without regrets, staying curious, and proving that age is not a limit—it's just a number. If you've ever thought "I'm too old for that," this episode is for you.Guest Bio:Lindsay Kaldon is the Fission Surface Power Project Manager at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, leading efforts to develop nuclear reactors that will power future space missions. With over a decade of experience in military defense, nuclear engineering, and aerospace, her career spans roles in the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Defense, and now NASA. She holds degrees in electrical engineering, systems engineering, and nuclear engineering, and is also a Captain in the Air Force Reserves.Beyond her work, Lindsay is a passionate advocate for STEM education, a private pilot, and a mother of four. Her infectious enthusiasm for life and learning makes her a true force of nature—one who believes that no dream is too big and no path is ever closed.📖 Learn more about Lindsay’s work:🔗NASA Glenn Research CenterThe Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world.www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/⁠

🌟 "I don’t think bountiful always has to mean money. It doesn’t always have to mean success in the world’s eyes. Bountiful to me is that my kids want to talk to me every day, that I have love in my life, and that I’m in a place where I don’t have to worry anymore." 🌟 What does it really mean to live a bountiful life? For Jessica Mogford, it’s not about status or wealth—it’s about resilience, love, and the small, everyday moments that make life meaningful. A mother of four, Jessica’s journey has been anything but conventional. From navigating a turbulent childhood to becoming a teen mom and later founding a maternity home for young mothers, she has turned hardship into purpose. In this episode, she shares the lessons she’s learned about forgiveness, independence, and the power of transparency in parenting and relationships. If you’ve ever faced adversity, questioned your own strength, or wondered how to rewrite your story, Jessica’s wisdom will stay with you long after this conversation ends. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: 💛 What It Means to Live a Bountiful Life: Jessica shares why true abundance isn’t about money or status but about connection, love, and creating a life where you feel at peace. 🌿 Overcoming Hardship and Finding Strength: From losing her mother at 15 to navigating life as a teen mom, Jessica reflects on the resilience it took to rewrite her story. 🔄 Breaking the Cycle and Building a Future: How she moved away from a troubled environment to create a stable, loving home for her children. 💫 The Power of Forgiveness and Letting Go: Jessica opens up about healing from childhood trauma, making peace with the past, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. 👩‍👧‍👦 Parenting with Honesty and Trust: Why transparency, respect, and unconditional love are the foundation of her approach to raising strong, independent kids. 🏠 Creating Hope for Young Mothers: The story behind Hope House, the maternity home she co-founded to support teen moms in need. ❤️ Finding Love Again and Blending Families: How reconnecting with her high school sweetheart brought a new perspective on love, trust, and second chances. 🌟 Life Lessons on Strength, Gratitude, and Living with Purpose: Jessica’s reflections on resilience, kindness, and embracing life’s challenges with an open heart. Detailed Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Jessica Mogford and her journey of resilience, motherhood, and overcoming hardship.03:20 – What it means to live a bountiful life and why Jessica believes it’s about connection, not money.07:15 – Growing up in a turbulent home and navigating childhood trauma.13:40 – Losing her mother at 15 and the impact of sudden loss on her path forward.18:10 – Becoming a teen mom at 16 and the challenges of raising a child with little support.24:45 – How Jessica built a life of stability, moved away from her past, and broke the cycle of hardship.30:20 – The creation of Hope House and her passion for helping young mothers find support.35:10 – The power of forgiveness, letting go of resentment, and healing from the past.40:25 – Parenting with transparency and why honesty is key to building trust with children.44:30 – Finding love again, blending families, and learning to trust after hardship.50:00 – Life lessons on resilience, gratitude, and embracing joy in everyday moments. Guest Bio: Jessica Mogford is a hospitality and real estate professional with over a decade of experience in creating exceptional service experiences. As Manager at Lyric Works, she is dedicated to fostering environments where collaboration and community thrive. The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world. Join the joy channel: www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/⁠ #adversity #hardship #podcast #selfcare #wellbeing

🌟 “Belonging isn’t something you achieve; it’s something you discover within yourself and nurture in the communities around you.” 🌟This week on the Bountifull Podcast, I sit down with David Spinks, community builder, coach, and author of The Business of Belonging, to explore the intricate interplay of community, belonging, and self-discovery. From his journey of building CMX, a global community of over 20,000 professionals, to stepping back and rediscovering his own “enoughness,” David shares his wisdom on why true belonging starts from within.If you’ve ever struggled with chasing external validation, wondered how to create meaningful connections, or felt the tension between ambition and alignment, this episode offers deeply personal insights and practical lessons for creating a more fulfilling life.For the community managers, facilitators, and builders among you, this episode is a must-listen. David and I unpack what it really means to build thriving communities, starting with the idea that communities are complex, emergent systems—not something to control or predict, but something to nurture. We explore how to create the container for what people are yearning for and how, when done right, community will naturally fill that space. We also discuss the concept of community member fit, the value of running experiments to learn and adapt, and why conscious, intentional leadership is so critical—especially during transitions.Episode Highlights:🌱 The Journey to Enoughness: David shares his personal struggles with anxiety, burnout, and the constant chase for external success—and how he found a new path.🌟 What Belonging Really Means: Insights on the difference between fitting in and true belonging, both in personal life and community spaces.🛠️ Practical Tools for Inner Work: From meditation and coaching to breathwork and nature, David offers practical ways to uncover your own sense of enoughness.🌍 Building and Nurturing Community: Lessons from leading CMX on how communities thrive when rooted in connection and purpose.💡 Balancing Ambition and Well-Being: Why aligning your actions with your values creates lasting success and joy.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to David Spinks and his journey as a community builder.05:15 – Defining belonging: What it is and why it matters.10:30 – The difference between enoughness and chasing success.18:20 – Tools and practices David used to reconnect with himself.25:00 – The role of community in personal and professional growth.32:45 – How to build healthier, more aligned relationships with work and life.40:10 – Reflections on resilience, family, and the meaning of a bountiful life.47:30 – Final thoughts on discovering enoughness and nurturing belonging.About David Spinks:David Spinks is a coach, writer, and community builder dedicated to helping people navigate life’s transitions and uncover their own sense of enoughness. As the co-founder of CMX, he created a global network of over 20,000 community professionals, which was later acquired. David is the author of The Business of Belonging, a comprehensive guide on building thriving communities.After stepping back from his leadership role, David embarked on a personal journey to find balance and meaning in his life, overcoming burnout, anxiety, and personal challenges along the way. Today, he supports individuals in aligning their actions with their values through coaching, writing, and speaking. When he’s not working, you can find David exploring the woods, meditating, reading, or enjoying time with his wife, parents, and children.https://davidspinks.com/The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world.⁠https://www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/⁠#joy #podcast #enough #community #belonging #selfcare #selflove #wellbeing#love #mindfulness

🌟 “Money touches every part of our lives—it’s not just numbers. It’s emotional, personal, and deeply connected to our values.” 🌟Money shapes so much of our lives, from the decisions we make daily to the conversations we have (or avoid) with our loved ones—and even the internal dialogue we have with ourselves. For many of us, it’s tied to ingrained habits, childhood experiences, and relationship dynamics that influence how we spend, save, and plan for the future.This week on the Bountifull Podcast, I sit down with Bari Tessler, financial therapist and author of The Art of Money, to explore how we can better understand and transform our money stories. Bari shares practical tools for recognizing the emotional patterns tied to money, tips for having more open and productive conversations with your partner, and how to align your financial decisions with your values. She also dives into healing financial shame and developing a new, empowering money identity.If you’ve ever felt tension around money, struggled with financial shame, avoided debt discussions, or wondered how to create a healthier relationship with money—for yourself or as a couple—this episode is packed with grounded, actionable advice to help you move forward.Episode Highlights:🌱 Understanding Your Money Story: Bari explains how early life experiences and cultural influences shape your relationship with money.🧠 Money and Emotions: Exploring the emotional side of finances and why financial shame often holds us back.🛠️ The Art of Money Framework: Bari introduces her three-step process: Money Healing, Money Practices, and Money Maps.🌟 Values and Spending: How to align your financial decisions with your deepest values for a more meaningful life.🛠️ Practical Tools for Financial Clarity: From body-based practices to budgeting techniques, Bari offers actionable steps to build confidence with money.✨ The Role of Money in Living Bountifully: Why understanding and improving your financial life contributes to overall abundance and fulfillment.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Bari Tessler and her journey to financial therapy.04:30 – The origins of your money story and its lasting impact.10:15 – Why financial shame is so common—and how to begin addressing it.18:40 – Bari’s three-step Art of Money Framework: Money Healing, Money Practices, Money Maps.27:10 – Aligning spending with values: What does financial alignment look like?34:20 – Tools for financial clarity: Budgeting, tracking, and mindfulness techniques.42:05 – The connection between money, emotional well-being, and living a bountiful life.50:00 – Final reflections and Bari’s advice for transforming your financial journey.About Bari Tessler:Bari Tessler, M.A., is a Financial Therapist, author, and the founder of The Art of Money, a year-long financial therapy program that has guided thousands of students worldwide. With a background in somatic psychology and financial education, Bari specializes in helping people transform their relationship with money through a compassionate and practical approach. Her work has been featured in major outlets like Oprah.com, Inc.com, and MindBodyGreen. Bari is the author of the best-selling book The Art of Money: A Life-Changing Guide to Financial Happiness. She lives in Boulder, Colorado, with her husband, son, and their many cats.https://baritessler.com/The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world.Join our community and opt in to joy, positivity, serenity and abundance https://www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/#joy #podcast #motivation #life #inspiration #education #happylife #selfimprovement #money #finance #financialindependence #freedom #healing #love #selflove

🌟 “If you want to live a happy life, don’t focus on finding your own happiness—focus on serving others, and you’ll wake up one day and realize you’re happy.” 🌟 This week on the Bountifull Podcast, we’re joined by Adam Wardel, a lawyer, leader, father, and self-described work-in-progress who lives (quite literally) in Bountiful, Utah. In this refreshingly practical conversation, Adam talks about the value of asking for what you want, balancing life’s many demands, and choosing service over self-focus. As we kick off the new year, this episode offers a timely reminder to show up intentionally and take small steps toward a more meaningful, bountiful life. Episode Highlights 🌟 The Power of Asking: Adam shares how asking for what you want—whether at work or in life—can lead to unexpected opportunities. 🛠️ Balancing It All: Insights on managing career, marriage, parenting, and personal growth without dropping the ball. 🌱 Organized Chaos: Adam’s perspective on embracing life’s struggles and why joy often comes from showing up intentionally, even when it’s hard. 💡 Service Over Self-Focus: Why prioritizing the happiness of others ultimately leads to your own fulfillment. 🏡 Breaking Roles and Expectations: A practical look at redefining family roles and making decisions that serve the household as a whole. ✨ Living a Bountiful Life: How Adam integrates purpose, patience, and faith into his daily choices. Detailed Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Adam Wardel and his take on a bountiful life.03:45 – Adam’s upbringing, career as a lawyer, and shift to in-house roles.08:07 – Living in Bountiful, Utah, and the role of service in finding happiness.16:17 – Adam’s views on pushing his kids to embrace independence and uncertainty.20:45 – The power of asking for what you want—and saying yes to opportunities.25:12 – Practical tips for remote work and creating flexibility in a demanding career.37:12 – Balancing family and career: setting expectations and calendaring life.42:13 – Redefining family roles: transparency, honesty, and doing what works for your household.47:19 – Final reflections: faith, service, and being intentional about happiness. Guest Bio Adam Wardel is a Fractional General Counsel, Board Member and World traveller. He's held senior legal roles in numerous businesses across the United States often building the legal team from the ground up, he has also led multiple acquisitions. With over a decade of experience across law, technology, and banking, Adam has become a trusted advisor to businesses navigating growth and risk. Beyond his impressive career, Adam’s greatest joy comes from his family and serving others. He splits his time between Bountiful, Utah, and Paris, France, embracing a life of intentionality, adventure, and “organized chaos.” https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamwardel/ The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world. Join our community and opt in to joy, positivity, serenity and abundance https://www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/ #joy #podcast #motivation #life #inspiration #education #happylife #selfimprovement

"Purpose needs to be actionable, aligned, and authentic. It's not about lofty ideas; it's about how you live on a Wednesday afternoon."Feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to find your purpose? You're not alone.In this episode, I sit down with Nell Derick Debevoise—speaker, coach, and best-selling author—to explore how to find purpose in your life without the crushing weight of perfectionism or unrealistic expectations. Whether you're navigating a career transition, feeling directionless, or burnt out from trying to do it all, Nell offers practical frameworks to help you discover meaning in what you're already doing.Nell's approach is refreshingly different: she "depressurizes" purpose, making it about small, intentional actions rather than grand gestures or saving the world single-handedly. Through her work with everyone from MBA students to senior executives to parents re-entering the workforce, she's developed a universal framework that works for anyone, anywhere.What You'll Learn:The 3 A's of Purpose – Why purpose must be Actionable (what you do daily), Aligned (to your actual position and resources), and Authentic (makes you feel alive)Stop "Shoulding" Yourself – How to recognize when you're living by orthodoxy or external pressure instead of authentic valuesYou're Already Contributing – A powerful exercise to recognize the positive impact you're already making in six key life areasThe Me/We/World Framework – How to map your contributions across self-care, relationships, work, community, and moneyBurnout Prevention – Why burnout often comes from trying to fix problems outside your sphere, and how to stay in your own "patch"Purpose vs. Contribution – Understanding the difference and why focusing on concrete contributions is more sustainable than chasing abstract purposeGetting Present – Nell's three-step process: get mindful, observe your life, and feel what brings you alive (no meditation required)Values Refinement – How to move beyond generic values like "honesty" to actionable statements that guide daily decisionsNell shares her own journey from nonprofit CEO to business school to purposeful leadership work, her recent car accident that crystallized what really matters, and why she believes everyone has "bounty" right now—even when life feels hard. Her message is clear: you don't need to have it all figured out, be perfect, or change the world. You just need to show up authentically in your own life.This conversation is for anyone who feels the weight of "finding their purpose," struggles with perfectionism, or wonders if they're doing enough. Spoiler: you probably already are.Guest Bio:Nell Derick Debevoise is a speaker, coach, and international best-selling author dedicated to helping individuals and organizations align purpose with action. As founder of the Purposeful Growth Institute and partner at PurposeFused, she brings practical wisdom to purposeful leadership. With experience spanning four continents, a Harvard degree, and decades working with diverse teams, Nell's frameworks make purpose accessible, grounded, and real.⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellderickdebevoise/⁠The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Join our community: ⁠https://www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/

"Doing everything will burn you out. Focus on a few things and do them well—that’s how you build something that lasts." This week on the Bountifull Podcast, we head to the Shenandoah Valley in rural Virginia (USA) to explore what it means to live with purpose and focus with Ty Walker, a trout farmer and steward of a historic 1930s hatchery. Ty shares his remarkable journey of leaving the noise and distractions of urban life to revive Smoke in Chimneys—a trout farm he resurrected with a century-old manual and a lot of grit. In a world obsessed with doing more, Ty teaches us the power of doing less, staying grounded in our work, and finding fulfillment in simplicity. From sustainable farming and family to the unexpected lessons hidden in patience, Ty’s wisdom is an antidote to burnout and a reminder that bountiful living comes when we invest deeply in what matters most. What can you learn about life, business and family from a Trout farmer? As it turns out, quite a bit. Episode Highlights: 🌾 The Power of Doing Less: Why trying to “do it all” leads to burnout—and how focus is the real key to success. 📚 Learning from History: How Ty used a 1940s trout farming manual and old-school wisdom to rebuild a farm from the ground up. 🐟 Farming with Purpose: What makes Smoke in Chimneys trout so special, and how sustainable practices honor both the land and the fish. 🏡 Balancing Family and Farming: Ty’s reflections on creating a fulfilling life that prioritizes family and work with intention. 🌱 Resilience and Patience: How Ty navigated setbacks, embraced uncertainty, and trusted the process of reviving the hatchery. 🌿 The Spirituality of the Land: Why farming is more than a job—it’s about connection, humility, and stewardship of creation. Detailed Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Ty Walker, trout farmer, father, and steward of Smoke in Chimneys.06:15 – Leaving the City: Ty and Shannon’s leap from urban life to farm life—and the search for deeper purpose.12:20 – The Trout Hatchery Revival: Discovering a forgotten 1930s trout hatchery and learning the ropes from a century-old manual.20:10 – The Value of Focus: Ty’s belief in doing a few things well instead of trying to do everything.28:30 – Raising Trout Sustainably: How Ty farms fish with respect for nature and historic methods.36:45 – Resilience and Starting Over: Ty shares his challenges in rebuilding the land and learning a completely new skill.44:15 – Family, Faith, and Balance: How Ty integrates his family and values into farm life.52:00 – Life Lessons from the Land: The spiritual connection between farming, patience, and purpose.58:00 – Final Reflections: Ty’s advice for slowing down, living intentionally, and reconnecting with what matters most. Guest Bio: Ty Walker is the owner and operator of Smoke in Chimneys, a revitalized 1930s trout hatchery located in New Castle, Virginia. Raised on the family farm in the Shenandoah Valley, Ty grew up surrounded by fishing, farming, and a deep appreciation for the land. After spending years in urban life, Ty and his wife, Shannon, returned to their roots with the mission of restoring a historic trout hatchery. Using old-school methods and sustainable practices, Ty now raises trout that rival those caught in the wild while honoring the land’s legacy. Alongside his work as a farmer, Ty is a husband, father of four, and ordained minister who believes in connecting people to nature and purpose. https://www.smokeinchimneys.com/ The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world. Join our community and opt in to joy, positivity, serenity and abundance https://www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/

🌟 "A bountiful life isn’t one without stress—it’s about learning how to embrace and manage it. Without stress, life would lose its meaning." 🌟 In this episode of the Bountifull Podcast, we dive deep into the science of stress, resilience, and the transformative power of awe with Dr. Paula G. Williams, a Professor of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Utah. Paula’s pioneering research explores how individual differences in stress regulation impact mental and physical well-being, and how moments of beauty and connection can serve as restorative forces. Together, we unpack how stress is not an enemy but a natural part of living a meaningful life. Paula introduces the concept of stress inoculation, explaining how controlled exposure to stress can build resilience over time. She also explores the spectrum of openness—how traits like curiosity and flexibility help us navigate life’s challenges. Whether you’re managing daily stress or navigating burnout, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to live abundantly, even in the face of life’s challenges. Episode Highlights 🌱 The Role of Stress in a Meaningful Life: Understanding why stress is a natural and essential part of living abundantly. 🛠️ Stress Inoculation: How small, manageable doses of stress can build long-term resilience and help us thrive in unpredictable situations. 🎨 The Power of Awe: How engaging with beauty, art, and nature promotes resilience and well-being. 🧠 Openness and Adaptability: Exploring the spectrum of openness and how curiosity and flexibility can improve our ability to handle stress. 🌙 The Sleep-Stress Connection: Insights into why proper sleep is critical for recovery and long-term health. 🛠️ Practical Stress Recovery Tools: Advice on exercise, mindfulness, and building a restorative nightly routine. Detailed Timestamps 00:00 – 05:00: Introduction to Paula G. Williams and her work on stress and resilience. 05:01 – 15:00: Defining stress and breaking it down into exposure, reactivity, recovery, and restoration. 15:01 – 25:00: Why stress matters and its physical and mental impacts, including how stress inoculation works. 25:01 – 35:00: Building resilience through openness and adaptability in the face of stress. 35:01 – 45:00: Harnessing awe and aesthetic engagement for stress regulation. 45:01 – 55:00: Practical steps for recovery, including exercise, mindfulness, and improving sleep. 55:01 – End: Paula’s advice on living with stress, building awareness, and embracing life’s challenges. Guest Bio Dr. Paula G. Williams is a Professor of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Utah. Her research focuses on individual differences in stress regulation, resilience, and well-being, with a particular emphasis on the restorative power of aesthetic experiences. Paula’s work explores the intersection of personality, psychophysiology, and mental health, providing actionable insights into how controlled stress exposure and traits like openness and curiosity can help us thrive in the face of adversity. See more of Paula's work here: https://faculty.utah.edu/u0415381-PAULA_G_WILLIAMS/research/index.hml The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world. Join our community and opt in to joy, positivity, serenity and abundance https://www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/

🌟 "Sometimes, the most outlandish thing you can do is follow your dreams. For me, that was pastry school." 🌟 Welcome to the start of Season Two! In this episode of the Bountifull Podcast, we’re kick things off with the dynamic and playful Allison Chen, a talented pastry chef, content creator, and creative thinker. Known as "Al Chenny" on social media, Allison has built an audience of nearly 1 million followers by sharing her culinary journey, humor, and honesty about navigating life’s uncertainties. From running a "not restaurant" out of her college apartment to documenting her time in French pastry school, Allison's story is one of embracing creativity, questioning societal norms, and redefining success on her own terms. This conversation dives into Allison’s journey of rejecting a traditional path, the lessons learned through her culinary adventures, and the value of staying playful and authentic in a world that often prioritizes conformity. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: 🤹‍♀️ Balancing Fun and Ambition: Why Allison believes life doesn’t have to be “that serious” and how playfulness fuels creativity. 🥖 The Courage to Pivot: How Allison traded neuroscience studies for French pastry school and never looked back. 🕺 Marching to Your Own Beat: The importance of following passions—even when it’s unconventional. 🌍 Lessons from the “Not Restaurant”: What she learned running an eight-course tasting menu out of her college apartment. 💡 Social Media and Self-Worth: Allison’s thoughts on building a platform, staying authentic, and the reality behind the numbers. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Meet Allison Chen and her journey into pastry and content creation. 05:10 - Breaking away from ballet and early career pressures. 10:15 - "Only child energy" and rejecting traditional life paths. 20:25 - The decision to attend French pastry school and what it taught her. 31:30 - Filming from a bathtub and the playful beginnings of her social media journey. 40:10 - The "not restaurant": Creating a tasting menu experience in a college apartment. 50:20 - Advice for those feeling lost: “Don’t overthink—just do.” 59:00 - Quickfire questions: Favorite foods, life lessons, and what brings her joy. About Allison Chen: Allison Chen, better known as Al Chenny on social media, is a pastry chef, content creator, and self-proclaimed "only child energy" enthusiast. After pivoting from neuroscience studies at Duke University to attending French pastry school, Allison found her creative spark in food and storytelling. From running a pop-up restaurant in her college apartment to sharing her baking adventures with nearly a million followers, Allison inspires others to embrace playfulness, reject societal pressures, and build a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. https://www.tiktok.com/@alchenny https://www.instagram.com/al.chenny/ https://www.youtube.com/@alchenny The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world. Join our community and opt in to joy, positivity, serenity and abundance https://www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/

🌟 "I think we've all got antennas on our head... if you tune your antennas into the goodness in humanity, the possibilities, that's what you'll see." 🌟 Join us on the Bountifull Podcast for an inspiring conversation with Sabina Read, a psychologist, human behavior expert, and media commentator. Sabina brings her deep understanding of the human experience to this episode, sharing insights on living a bountiful life by tuning into our inner wisdom, nurturing meaningful connections, and embracing possibility. Whether it's in relationships, personal growth, or dealing with life's challenges, Sabina’s approach is grounded in authenticity, curiosity, and compassion.Episode HighlightsTuning into Abundance: Sabina discusses her concept of abundance and how she believes it’s closely related to living a bountiful life through the lens of connection and possibility.The Power of Connection: Emphasizing that quality over quantity is key, Sabina highlights how meaningful connections are at the core of living abundantly.Overcoming Fear and Judgment: Sabina reflects on how fear and judgment often stop us from exploring new experiences and shares her insights on how to tune into our inner voice and make decisions based on what truly resonates with us.Navigating Grief and Suffering: Sabina shares her understanding of universal human suffering and how acknowledging it, along with compassion and connection, can help us navigate through difficult times.Finding Joy and Playfulness: Through personal stories like her participation in Sydney’s Mardi Gras, Sabina encourages listeners to embrace joy, playfulness, and a curious mindset, even in unfamiliar or challenging situations.Improving Relationships: Sabina offers practical advice on improving relationships by focusing on how we show up, tuning into our emotions, and avoiding the trap of judgment.Detailed Timestamps00:00 – Introduction and welcome to Sabina Read, discussing her background and approach to psychology and human behavior.05:15 – Sabina’s take on living a bountiful life and her connection with the word "abundance."10:30 – The importance of tuning into our own needs and turning up the volume on our internal wisdom.18:20 – Sabina's personal experience at Mardi Gras and how it connected her to the joy and non-judgment she values.25:00 – The value of meaningful connections and how they shape a bountiful life.33:00 – Navigating grief and suffering and recognizing the universal nature of these emotions.40:10 – How Sabina sees the world through a positive lens and the role of compassion and kindness in our lives.48:20 – Exploring language, emotion, and how tuning into ourselves can help us better communicate with others.55:30 – Improving relationships through self-awareness and curiosity rather than seeking change in others.1:03:00 – Quick Fire Round: Sabina answers random questions and shares more about how she views life through the lens of possibility.Guest BioSabina Read is a psychologist, human behavior expert, and media commentator with a passion for helping individuals and organizations tap into their inherent wisdom and potential. Sabina has worked across multiple domains, from clinical psychology to corporate consulting, public speaking, and media engagements. She’s known for her relatable and practical approach to navigating life’s challenges, whether it’s improving relationships, enhancing mental well-being, or fostering personal growth. Sabina’s philosophy is centered on connection, curiosity, and a deep respect for the human experience. Through her work, Sabina inspires others to explore their own potential, embrace possibility, and live with compassion and authenticity.Follow Bountifull on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bountifullworld/Visit our Website:https://www.bountifullworld.com/podcast/Subscribe to our Newsletter:https://www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/

🌟 "I just wanted to have a place that executed food at a very high level but literally anyone could feel comfortable at. Whether you're wearing a suit or a Motorhead t-shirt, it kind of didn't matter." 🌟 Join the Bountifull Podcast for an engaging conversation with Matt Lambert, a renowned chef who recently returned to New Zealand. Matt’s journey from his Kiwi upbringing to earning a Michelin star in New York City is a testament to his culinary mastery and innovative approach. In this episode, Matt shares insights on his culinary journey, the challenges of achieving and maintaining a Michelin star, and the importance of creating an inclusive dining experience. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: Culinary Beginnings: How Matt’s upbringing in New Zealand and family influences shaped his passion for cooking. Achieving a Michelin Star: Insights into Matt’s journey to earning a Michelin star at The Musket Room and the challenges of maintaining it. Living a Bountiful Life: Balancing professional success with personal fulfillment, and how moving back to New Zealand has provided a more relaxed lifestyle. Innovative Techniques: Matt’s use of unique cooking methods, like cooking over fire and experimenting with fermentation, to create distinct flavors. Practical Tips: Advice on sourcing quality ingredients, the importance of tasting everything, and cooking tips like pre-salting meat and making flavorful brines. Detailed Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Matt’s culinary journey. 05:15 - Influence of New Zealand upbringing and family on cooking. 10:15 - Transition from New York to New Zealand and back and later learning what work-life balance looks like. 18:00 - Achieving and maintaining a Michelin star. 25:30 - Innovative cooking techniques and experimenting with flavors. 33:45 - Practical tips for sourcing ingredients and cooking methods. 40:00 - Reflections on living a bountiful life and future aspirations. 48:30 - Listener Q&A on culinary techniques, sustainability, and personal experiences. Guest Bio: Matt Lambert is a chef of international acclaim who recently returned home to his native New Zealand. Born and raised in New Zealand, Lambert’s food draws on his Kiwi upbringing and his passion for incredible produce, coupled with a modern innovative approach to cooking techniques. Lambert has seen great success in the USA, having led the teams in AVRoKO kitchens like PUBLIC, Double Crown, and Saxon and Parole. He went on to open his own restaurant, The Musket Room, where he quickly earned a Michelin star, holding it from 2013-2020. Matt has also competed on Food Network’s "Chopped" and appeared on CBS New York and NBC New York. He has consulted on amazing projects with Nestle, Pepsi, the American Tomato Board, and Freshly, and most recently designed the food offering for Virgin Voyages’ ship, The Scarlet Lady's restaurant "The Test Kitchen." Matt is now the Executive Chef at Rodd and Gunn's The Lodge Bar in Queenstown and Auckland. He is also a proud father and husband. https://www.chefmattlambert.com/ If you found this episode insightful, please rate and leave a review on Youtube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Follow Bountifull on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bountifullworld/ Subscribe to Bountifull on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bountifullworld Visit our Website: https://www.bountifullworld.com/podcast/ Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/

🌟 "What does it mean to live a bountiful life? For me, it's waking up happy, working happy, and going to bed happy. If I can do that, that’s the most important thing in my life." 🌟 Join the Bountifull Podcast for an inspiring conversation with Scott Eddy, one of the worlds top travel influencers and digital entrepreneur. Scott’s journey from investment banking to traveling over 85 countries and becoming a global influencer with over 1 million followers is filled with resilience, exploration, and digital transformation. He sold all of his belongings and now lives in hotels and on cruise boats, prioritizing waking at sunrise and replying to any comments that come in overnight because, in the online world, that is good manners. Scott isn’t one for trends; he believes in being authentic, and the biggest compliment you can give him is by saying that he is exactly the same online as he is in real life. He encourages brands not leveraging social media to stop being dinosaurs and urges people who know what makes them happy but aren’t practicing it to just do it—life’s too short to be focusing on the wrong things.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:Finding Joy in Travel: Scott discusses how traveling has shaped his perspective on life and human connections, emphasizing the importance of being present and enjoying every moment.The Power of Social Media: Explore Scott’s journey in the digital world, from founding the first digital agency in Southeast Asia to becoming a top travel influencer with over 1.1 million followers. He shares his strategies for authentic engagement and the impact of social media on the hospitality industry.Living Without Regrets: Learn about Scott's philosophy of seizing opportunities and living without regrets. He talks about the significance of taking risks and learning from both successes and failures.Human Connections and Kindness: Scott reflects on the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, whether online or in person. He highlights how genuine interactions and maintaining positive relationships are crucial in his life.Staying Authentic: Discover how Scott remains true to himself in the public eye and the value of authenticity in building a personal brand.Travel Tips and Insights: Scott shares practical travel tips, his favorite destinations, and how to bring a sense of adventure into everyday life without traveling far.Guest bio: Scott Eddy’s life took an unexpected turn when his father, a police officer, was killed in the line of duty just before his high school graduation. After a decade in investment banking, he resigned and bought a one-way ticket to Thailand, sparking a passion for travel and digital marketing. In Bangkok, he founded the first and largest digital agency in Southeast Asia, which he ran for five years. Over 17 years, Scott lived in six countries, building his personal brand and becoming a top travel influencer with over 1 million followers. Now a full-time traveler, Scott turns storytelling into ROI for tourism and hospitality, and hosts the travel series Video Globetrotter on Lifetime Television. A true citizen of the world, Scott believes in the power of human connection and authenticity, making him a sought-after digital expert in the travel industry.Follow Scott: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/Following the Bountifull Podcast:https://www.instagram.com/bountifullworld/https://bountifullworld.com/