Transforming the Inner Narrative: How Healing Self-Talk Drives Real Leadership Change — Mayor Teresa Thomas-Smith

In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik welcomes Kayvon, a sales mastermind who has trained over 50,000 professionals and driven more than $275 million in sales. Kayvon’s journey to success wasn’t a smooth ride; it was filled with challenges that required deep self-reflection and resilience. In this conversation, Kayvon shares his story of nearly facing bankruptcy, the turning point that changed his life, and how embracing self-reflection can transform not just your personal life, but also your business success. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand how inner work can lead to outer success. About the Guest: Kayvon is a seasoned sales expert with a track record of training over 50,000 sales professionals and generating more than $275 million in sales. His journey is a testament to the power of resilience, authenticity, and self-reflection. From facing near bankruptcy to building a thriving sales empire, Kayvon’s story is one of perseverance and relentless pursuit of success. Key Takeaways: Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Success often requires going through multiple failures and challenges. Staying resilient and committed can turn even the toughest situations around. The Importance of Self-Reflection: Your results are a direct reflection of your mindset and self-worth. Regular self-reflection helps you align with your true potential and achieve greater success. Sacrifice and Commitment: Achieving greatness often requires significant sacrifice. Being willing to do what others won’t can set you apart and lead to extraordinary outcomes. Turning Skills into Success: Leveraging your unique skills, like sales in Caveman’s case, can help you overcome obstacles and build a successful career or business. Self-Worth and Belief: Believing in your value and what you bring to the world is crucial for success. Low self-worth can be a major barrier to achieving your goals.

30 Aug 202422min

In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host explores how business owners can revolutionize their operations by incorporating virtual assistants into their teams. Rima is joined by Pam Butera, a seasoned real estate professional and the driving force behind the Greater Philly Cyberbacker franchise. Pam shares her journey of transitioning to an all-virtual business model, highlighting how virtual assistants have transformed her business efficiency, allowing her to focus on growth and long-term success. Pam’s insights reveal how virtual staffing is a game-changer for entrepreneurs looking to optimize their time and streamline their operations. About the Guest: Pam Butera is a renowned real estate expert with a remarkable track record. She is the owner of the Greater Philly Cyberbacker franchise, where she leverages virtual staffing to enhance business efficiency. In 2020, Pam transitioned her real estate business to a fully virtual model, which has led to significant improvements in both productivity and profitability. Her passion for the virtual staffing model has made her a strong advocate for its potential to help business owners achieve greater success. Key Takeaways: Efficiency Boost: Learn how virtual assistants can take over routine tasks, freeing up time for business owners to focus on strategic growth. Misconceptions Debunked: Pam addresses common misconceptions about virtual staffing, including concerns about skill level and language barriers, and explains how virtual assistants can often outperform in-person staff. Building Strong Relationships: Discover the importance of building a strong working relationship with virtual assistants to maximize their potential and achieve mutual success. Versatility of Virtual Assistants: Understand the broad range of tasks that virtual assistants can handle, from managing emails to developing websites, showcasing their versatility and resourcefulness. Empowering Business Owners: Learn how embracing virtual staffing can empower business owners to take their businesses to new heights while enjoying a better work-life balance.

30 Aug 202422min

In this empowering episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty is joined by Anna, a digital content creator, author, and speaker with over 1.4 million followers on TikTok and Instagram. Known for her authenticity and viral catchphrases, Anna shares her inspiring journey of rejecting societal expectations and embracing a life that truly aligns with her passions. Together, they explore the challenges of breaking away from a conventional career path and the liberation that comes with crafting a life on your own terms. Tune in to discover practical advice on how you, too, can rewrite the script of your life and find true fulfillment. About the Guest: Anna is a digital content creator, author of the book Keep It Up, Cutie, and an influential speaker who has built a community of over 1.4 million followers across TikTok and Instagram. Her content resonates with audiences for its relatable, real-life insights and her fearless approach to living authentically. Anna’s journey from a stable career to a life of passion and creativity serves as a beacon of hope and empowerment, inspiring others to pursue the lives they truly want. Key Takeaways: Rejecting Societal Norms: Anna shares how she identified and broke free from societal expectations, emphasizing that true fulfillment doesn't come from following a prescribed path. Empowerment Through Choice: Listeners will learn the power of realizing they can do anything they want without restrictions, and that it's okay to change their minds and pursue different paths as they evolve. Living Authentically: The importance of aligning your life with what truly makes you happy, rather than conforming to external pressures. Fear and Liberation: Anna discusses the fear and excitement that come with breaking away from a conventional life and how embracing uncertainty can lead to profound personal growth. Practical Advice: Actionable steps for listeners to start identifying societal pressures in their own lives and begin crafting a life that truly reflects who they are.

30 Aug 202419min

In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik delves into the complexities of family life with special guest Anastasia Rose. With a rich background in education, counseling, and play therapy, Anastasia shares her journey from being a middle school teacher to becoming a registered play therapist and family counselor. The conversation explores the challenges parents face today, including stress management, work-life balance, and the impact of technology on children. Anastasia also provides valuable insights into the role of play therapy in helping children express their emotions and navigate family dynamics. About the Guest: Anastasia Rose is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in education, counseling, and play therapy. Her career began in the classroom as a middle school teacher, but her passion for helping children navigate their emotions and family dynamics led her to become a school counselor and, eventually, a registered play therapist. Anastasia now runs a successful private practice focused on family counseling, where she helps parents and children create healthy, supportive family environments. Key Takeaways: The Power of Play Therapy: Play therapy is a child's natural way of communicating and processing their world, making it an effective tool for helping children express their emotions and resolve conflicts. Balancing Work and Family: Modern families face significant stress and burnout due to the demands of work, extracurricular activities, and the overuse of technology. Anastasia emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing mental health. Understanding Children's Needs: Anastasia's experience as a teacher has deeply influenced her approach to counseling, helping her understand the unique challenges children face in learning environments and at home. Managing Technology Use: With the increasing influence of technology on children, Anastasia discusses the importance of setting appropriate screen time limits and encouraging healthy social interactions. This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone interested in fostering strong family bonds and supporting children's mental health.

30 Aug 202417min

In this insightful episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, Avik Chakraborty sits down with Steve Durbin, Chief Executive of the Information Security Forum (ISF), to explore the intersection of leadership and mental health within the high-pressure world of cybersecurity. As cyber threats evolve at an unprecedented pace, leaders in this field face mounting stress and anxiety. Steve shares his extensive experience guiding Fortune 500 companies and global leaders, discussing the unique challenges cybersecurity leaders face today, including managing stress, avoiding burnout, and maintaining resilience. Join us as we uncover strategies for sustaining mental well-being in a rapidly changing digital landscape. About the Guest: Steve Durbin is the Chief Executive of the Information Security Forum, a leading authority on cybersecurity strategy and emerging threats. With a career spanning advising Fortune 500 companies and global leaders, Steve is a powerful voice on issues that extend beyond technology. His deep understanding of the cybersecurity landscape, coupled with his insights into the human challenges of leadership, make him an invaluable resource for those navigating this complex field. Key Takeaways: The Challenge of Time in Cybersecurity: Steve highlights the increasing speed at which cyber threats evolve and how this compresses the time leaders have to respond, creating significant stress and anxiety. Impact of Remote Leadership: The transition to remote work during the pandemic introduced new challenges for cybersecurity leaders, who had to adapt to managing teams without the benefit of in-person interactions, leading to increased stress. Recognizing Burnout: Steve discusses the subtle signs of burnout in cybersecurity professionals, emphasizing that those experiencing burnout often don’t recognize it themselves. Leaders must be vigilant in identifying these signs among their teams. Building Resilience: The conversation touches on the importance of resilience in cybersecurity leadership, with Steve sharing strategies on how leaders can foster a work environment that supports mental well-being and high performance. Leadership Beyond Technology: The discussion expands beyond technical skills, focusing on the human aspects of leadership in cybersecurity, including the importance of empathy, communication, and understanding individual needs. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in cybersecurity leadership or those interested in how leaders can maintain their mental health while navigating the complexities of today’s digital threats.

30 Aug 202423min

In this heartfelt episode, Avik Chakraborty dives into a deep and transformative conversation with Victoria Volk, an advanced certified grief recovery specialist, energy healer, and author. Victoria shares her personal journey of navigating grief from a young age and how it shaped her life and career. She discusses the profound impact of energy healing in overcoming the emotional turmoil of loss and introduces listeners to practical tools for moving from surviving to thriving. About the Guest: Victoria Volk is a beacon of hope in the realm of grief recovery. She is a self-published author, advanced certified grief recovery specialist, and the creator and host of the podcast "Grieving Voices." With certifications in Reiki, Biofield Tuning, and UMAP coaching, Victoria combines traditional grief recovery methods with energy healing, offering a unique path to resilience. Key Takeaways: Grief is cumulative and can manifest in various physical and emotional ways if not addressed. Energy healing can play a crucial role in processing and releasing deep-seated grief. Practical strategies for supporting yourself or others through the grieving process.

28 Aug 202423min

In this episode of "Healthy Mind, Healthy Life," host Avik Chakraborty sits down with the resilient Sorcha Sylvester-Martin to explore her incredible journey of battling cystic fibrosis, overcoming addiction, and finding a new purpose in life. Born with a condition that doctors said would prevent her from living past 18, Sorcha defied the odds. After losing her grandmother, who was her rock and guiding force, Sorcha found herself spiraling into addiction as a way to cope with the overwhelming pain and uncertainty. However, her story is one of transformation, as she has now embraced a holistic lifestyle centered on movement, self-care, and raising awareness for those with chronic illnesses who also struggle with addiction. Sorcha’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the human will to live, even in the face of life's toughest challenges. About the Guest: Sorcha Sylvester-Martin was born with cystic fibrosis and told she wouldn’t live past 18. Defying the odds, she faced significant challenges, including a battle with addiction following the loss of her grandmother, who had been her main source of strength. Today, Sorcha lives a holistic life focused on self-care and movement. She is committed to raising awareness about the unique challenges faced by individuals living with chronic illnesses and addiction. Her life story is a powerful example of resilience, transformation, and the enduring will to live fully. Key Takeaways: The Power of Resilience: Sorcha’s journey highlights the strength of the human spirit to overcome even the most daunting medical and personal challenges. Coping with Chronic Illness: Insights into the emotional and psychological impact of living with a chronic illness from a young age, including the struggles with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Addiction as a Coping Mechanism: How addiction can become a misguided method of coping with the pain and uncertainty of chronic illness, and the importance of finding healthier ways to deal with emotional trauma. The Role of Support Systems: The critical role that loved ones, like Sorcha’s grandmother, play in providing support and encouragement, and the profound impact their loss can have. Transforming Pain into Purpose: Sorcha’s shift from living with the expectation of an early death to embracing life fully, focusing on self-care, and advocating for others facing similar challenges. Holistic Healing: The importance of a holistic approach to health, including movement, self-care, and mental well-being, in managing chronic illness and recovering from addiction.

28 Aug 202420min

In this episode of "Healthy Mind, Healthy Life," host sits down with Dr. Cali Estes, widely recognized as "The Addictions Coach." Dr. Estes brings her wealth of experience in addiction recovery, life coaching, and mental health to the discussion, sharing her inspiring personal journey from battling addiction to becoming a leading figure in the field. The conversation delves into the current trends in addiction and mental health, the innovative strategies Dr. Estes employs, including her unique Sober on Demand program, and the evolving role of technology in addiction recovery. About the Guest: Dr. Cali Estes is a powerhouse in the field of addiction recovery and mental health. A 5-time #1 best-selling author, founder of the largest online addiction and mental health education school, and host of the podcast "Unpause Your Life," Dr. Estes has helped countless individuals, from CEOs to celebrities, unlock their potential and overcome addiction. Her personal battle with addiction and her passion for psychology led her to develop innovative recovery programs that focus not just on stopping harmful behavior but on transforming lives. Key Takeaways: Personal Journey: Dr. Cali Estes shares her path from addiction to becoming a leader in the field, highlighting the importance of understanding the root causes of addiction. Current Trends: A discussion on the major shifts in addiction and mental health in 2024, including the challenges individuals face in seeking help. Sober on Demand: An exploration of Dr. Estes' innovative concierge-style addiction recovery program and how it's revolutionizing the approach to treatment. Technology and Mental Health: Insights into the role of technology in addiction recovery, including the development of apps that provide real-time support for those struggling with substance abuse. Harm Reduction and Behavioral Change: The importance of not just reducing harm but also addressing the underlying behaviors and lifestyle changes necessary for long-term recovery.

28 Aug 202415min