The Cluttered Path

Send us a textWhat if your resume looks stellar, but your days feel hollow? We dive into the hidden costs of success (Anxiety, Insomnia, Quiet Dread) and show a measured way to pivot without blowing up your life. Our guest, career coach and therapist, Rachel Speckman, breaks down a practical framework for building a soul-aligned path where skills, values, and curiosity actually meet. You’ll hear how to translate vague dissatisfaction into clear data, spot the difference between a role problem and an environment problem, and make changes that protect both your well-being and your income.We unpack the “three Cs” of meaningful work (Community, Contribution, and Challenge) and pair them with a simple Red/Yellow/Green task audit that reveals what drains you and what lights you up. Rachel explains why identity gets tangled with titles, how to navigate the grief of letting go, and why calculated risk beats impulsive quitting every time. From industry-adjacent pivots to role redesigns to fractional work, we explore common outcomes and the mindset shifts that make them possible. Along the way, you’ll learn to build a backwards-facing resume that surfaces hidden wins and rebuilds self-trust, especially if imposter syndrome has been running the show.Where to Find Rachel: https://madeformorecoach.com/ _____________________________________  Resources from This Episode: Meaningful Work, by Wes Adams & Tamara Myles: https://amzn.to/3MiK90b As an Amazon Partner, our podcast earns from qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. ________________________________________________________________ Where to Find Us: Web: https://clutteredpath.com/Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath Questions/Comments: feedback@clutteredpath.com _________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube Instagram Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) TikTok

Send us a textLetting kids grow up isn’t easy. It’s beautiful, bittersweet, and takes a lot of courage. In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Jack Stoltzfus shares how parents can let go with love while staying deeply connected. Parenting is full of moments that stretch the heart. None more so than watching your kids transition into adulthood. In this conversation with Dr. Jack Stoltzfus, we explore the common pitfalls and struggles that all parents face while raising children. Laying a solid foundation while they’re young is key to developing maturity and emotional resilience. Later on, this can allow us to experience the beautiful, bittersweet season of letting go while watching them blossom into self-sufficient adults. During this conversation, we discover how to stay connected to your teen or young adult, support their journey toward independence, and navigate our own emotions through this transition. Whether your child is preparing for college, moving out, or simply growing up, this episode will speak straight to your heart. Where to Find Jack:Web: https://parentslettinggo.com/  _____________________________________ Jack’s Books:The Parent’s Launch Code: Loving and Letting Go of Our Adult Children, by Jack Stoltzfus https://amzn.to/4i3o4OYGrowing Apart: Letting Go of Our Young Adults, by Jack Stoltzfus https://amzn.to/49U9rLU________________________________________________________________ Where to Find Us: Web: https://clutteredpath.com/Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath Questions/Comments: feedback@clutteredpath.com _________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube Instagram Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) TikTok

Send us a textFrom Victim to Victor: How Taking Accountability Transforms Your Life Are you feeling stuck in your life despite trying hard to improve? Discover how shifting from a victim mentality to true accountability can change everything. In this episode, Todd interviews Robert J. Hunt, co-author of "Nobody Cares Until You Do," about the power of personal responsibility and overcoming blame and excuses. Learn the stages of accountability and how to climb what Hunt calls the "Accountability Mountain." Whether you're struggling with finances, relationships, career challenges, or personal growth, this conversation reveals practical strategies for taking ownership of your life and moving from feeling helpless to becoming empowered. Featuring real-life stories of transformation, including how Robert and his wife eliminated $90,000 in debt by embracing accountability instead of waiting for external solutions.  Perfect for midlife listeners, business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to stop making excuses and start living the life they really want. Where to Connect With Robert:https://refdallas.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberthuntceo/  https://www.youtube.com/@nobodycaresbook6826  https://www.instagram.com/nobodycaresbook/   _____________________________________  Resources from This Episode: Nobody Cares (Until You Do), by Salem Thyne and Robert Hunt https://amzn.to/4oKvERqSatisfaction Assessment: https://nobodycaresbook.com/resources/ As an Amazon Partner, our podcast earns from qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. ________________________________________________________________ Where to Find Us: Web: https://clutteredpath.com/Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath Questions/Comments: feedback@clutteredpath.com _________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube Instagram Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) TikTok

Send us a textDuring WWII in war-torn Holland, a five-year-old watches Canadian soldiers hand out bread, butter, and cheese in a schoolyard. He decides that someday he will live in the land of his heroes. Decades later that child, John Brink, arrives in Canada with a suitcase, $25.47 in his pocket, and a desire to build his own company. What unfolds is a story of grit, passion, and the billion-dollar skill that changed everything: Communication. We sit down with John to explore his childhood in Nazi-Occupied Holland, PTSD, and years of academic struggles that evolved into a blueprint for confident speaking and leadership. He shares the identity shift that came with discovering ADHD and Dyslexia, and how naming his neurodiversity turned shame into a superpower. From a humiliating first experience speaking in public to becoming a Distinguished Toastmaster, John walks us through the habits that transformed panic into presence: study the room, master the tech, move with purpose, choose outlines over scripts, and focus on your audience. He also reveals why a little anxiety is useful, how empathy makes moments unforgettable, and what it looks like to go off-script to elevate someone else’s story. Along the way, we talk building lumber mills, writing books, and stepping on a bodybuilding stage in his 70s and 80s as a declaration that discipline scales across domains. If you care about public speaking, leadership, or simply finding your voice, you’ll leave with practical tactics and a deeper sense of what’s possible when you align attitude, passion, and work ethic with a clear message. Where to Connect With John Brink: Web: https://johnabrink.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnABrink _____________________________________  Resources from This Episode: Billion Dollar Communication Skills, by John A Brink  https://amzn.to/3K6RpLYAgainst All Odds, by John A Brink https://amzn.to/4r3CQtlLiving Young, Dying Old, by John A Brink https://amzn.to/4r0I88OAs an Amazon Partner, our podcast earns from qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. ________________________________________________________________ Where to Find Us: Web: https://clutteredpath.com/Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath Questions/Comments: feedback@clutteredpath.com _________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube Instagram Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) TikTok

Send us a textWhat if confidence doesn’t come from hype, but from training yourself? We sit down with communication coach Jeff Callahan to carve out a practical path from social anxiety to authentic connection that's built on reps, helpful self-talk, and simple frameworks anyone can use. As a child, Jeff’s story began with a severe stuttering problem but today he has a thriving coaching practice featured by Inc., Time, and Business Insider. The main lesson is to become competent at communicating, because competence breeds confidence. We dig into why so many adults feel behind on soft skills (years of technical focus, the rise of screens and algorithms, and the slow disappearance of third spaces) and how we can overcome deficiencies. Jeff shares a weekly audit to surface hidden micro-opportunities for practice, a method to stack small wins, and a mental model to replace harsh, inaccurate stories with neutral, helpful interpretations. You’ll also learn the “spokes” method to keep conversations flowing without memorized scripts. More reps = less pressure. The professional upside is real. Jeff explains how clearer self-advocacy can translate to raises, promotions, and leadership visibility, with an example of a client who landed a 10% salary bump and a path to promotion by refining his message. If you’ve ever felt isolated or stuck waiting to “feel ready,” this conversation provides a way forward: show up, practice small, choose helpful stories, and let confidence flow out of your competence. Resources From Jeff: Email: jeff@becomemorecompelling.comFree 56 Minute Training on Group Conversations: https://www.becomemorecompelling.com/group Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/becomemorecompelling ________________________________________________________________ Where to Find Us: Web: https://clutteredpath.com/Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath Questions/Comments: feedback@clutteredpath.com _________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube Instagram Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) TikTok

Ray Martin, an award-winning former CEO turned nomadic explorer and author, shares his journey from business success to personal fulfillment. After confronting life challenges like divorce and loss, he embarked on a 14-year backpacking odyssey across Asia. Ray reveals transformative experiences, including a silent meditation retreat that reshaped his understanding of success and happiness. He discusses using 'confirmation signals' to guide life decisions, and his efforts in fundraising through marathons, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's life with true values.

Send us a textIn this episode, we delve into Andrew Profaci's incredible escape from the notorious Love Has Won cult, revealing the darkest corners of psychological manipulation and leading to the illuminating light of truth. As Amy Carlson's closest companion, Andrew witnessed firsthand how cult leaders exploit vulnerabilities through powerful psychological control, transforming ordinary individuals into devoted followers. What makes Andrew's story compelling goes beyond sensational headlines featured on Dateline, HBO, and Vice; it encapsulates a universal human struggle with vulnerability and belief systems. His tumultuous childhood experiences left him susceptible to the cult's seductive allure. After a tragic car accident at 18 claimed his friend's life and led to his own opioid addiction, profound spiritual questions emerged—serving as an unexpected gateway to a path he never anticipated. The pivotal moment of Andrew arriving at the cult’s house reveals shocking truths—encountering an incoherent, intoxicated woman instead of the charismatic leader he expected. Despite immediately recognizing red flags, he remained entangled in this web of deception. This tension between awareness and attachment forms the backbone of his narrative, culminating in his brave decision to expose a massive hoax from within and ultimately break free. Embark on this transformative journey through manipulation, resilience, and redemption with Andrew Profaci’s remarkable story. His memoir "The War on Love" provides deeper insights into these harrowing experiences while offering wisdom for anyone questioning their beliefs and seeking personal freedom.Where to Find Andrew: https://thewaronlove.com/ _____________________________________  Resources from This Episode: The War on Love: The Origin Story of Love Has Won and the rise of Mother God, by Andrew-Ryan Profaci https://amzn.to/4r30Pst As an Amazon Partner, our podcast earns from qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. ________________________________________________________________ Where to Find Us: Web: https://clutteredpath.com/Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath Questions/Comments: feedback@clutteredpath.com _________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube Instagram Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) TikTok

Send us a textWhat happens when a former therapy skeptic sits down with a licensed psychotherapist? Prepare for an eye-opening conversation that challenges everything you thought you knew about mental health support. Steve McCready, a licensed psychotherapist with a refreshingly practical approach, joins us to unpack why so many of us—particularly men—resist seeking help when we're struggling. From military boot camp experiences where vulnerability was publicly mocked to workplace cultures that reward self-sacrifice, we explore how our society has created dangerous misconceptions about mental health. At the heart of our discussion is the revelation that many of our struggles stem from the stories we tell ourselves. As Steve explains, "We build up these stories about ourselves that are often inaccurate." Whether you're a chronic adapter who's lost your identity pleasing others, an overthinker trapped in perfectionism, or someone battling relentless self-criticism, these patterns all connect to narratives you've developed about who you are and what you're capable of. The conversation takes fascinating turns as we explore the difference between therapy and coaching, why boundaries matter (and how to set them effectively), and why personal growth is necessarily messy. Steve's framework-based approach offers practical wisdom without rigid formulas, acknowledging that true change requires more than just understanding—it demands consistent practice that literally rewires your brain. If you've ever dismissed therapy as unnecessary or wondered why you keep hitting the same roadblocks despite knowing better, this conversation might be the perspective shift you need. Discover why vulnerability is strength, how to recognize distorted stories that limit your potential, and practical steps toward living more authentically. Your path forward starts with this conversation. Where to Find Steve:https://www.stevemccready.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@stevemccready_____________________________________  Resources from This Episode:  I Don’t Want to Talk About it: Overcoming Male Depression, by Terrence Real https://amzn.to/4oRLh9OSelf-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, by Kristin Neff https://amzn.to/4pfo80K Rejection Proof: How I Beat Fear and Became Invincible Through 100 Days of Rejection, by Jia Jang https://amzn.to/4pe6F8DAs an Amazon Partner, our podcast earns from qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. ________________________________________________________________ Where to Find Us: Web: https://clutteredpath.com/Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath Questions/Comments: feedback@clutteredpath.com _________________________________________________________________ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube Instagram Facebook X (Formerly Twitter) TikTok

Chris Wilkens, a Marine Corps veteran and Vice President at RBC Wealth Management, shares a wealth of insight on building financial security at any age. He emphasizes the magic of compound interest and the importance of starting early, demonstrating how your investment can double over time without extra contributions. Chris stresses retirement as a pursuit of purpose rather than just a financial milestone, encouraging listeners to have meaningful goals post-retirement. His practical strategies offer a roadmap for anyone looking to secure their financial future.

Brandon Held, a life coach and host of the Life is Crazy podcast, shares his transformative journey from a tumultuous childhood marked by poverty, trauma, and loss to a life dedicated to helping others. He candidly discusses breaking the cycles of addiction, the lessons learned through military service, and navigating personal relationships after significant heartbreak. He emphasizes the importance of establishing boundaries, seeking therapy, and the power of resilience in overcoming adversity, offering invaluable insights for anyone facing tough times.