

MINDSET ZONE
Ana Melikian
Our mindsets determine the way we see the world, as well as, the way we behave and who we are as people. It’s very easy and normal to stay stuck in fixed mindsets – limiting beliefs about our abilities and skills that prevent us to learn new things. We can intentionally cultivate a growth mindset that allows us to stretch our minds and amplify the realm of possibilities of what we do, and who we are. Amplifying our mindsets is one of the secrets of success, for most entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals out there.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 23, 2023 • 32min
Give Back a Smile with Mark Willes
 “The patients would sit up after their veneers had been placed and just cry. For the first time in their lives, they feel like they have the confidence to smile, talk, and eat. That was my ‘why.’” 
- Mark Willes
Mark joins me today to discuss how giving back can give meaning to our work. He describes his unconventional path to becoming a dental lab technician and how he became frustrated after a year and a half of working at a dental lab. He offers advice on building a thriving business. Mark also highlights the power of believing in and speaking from your vision and underscores the importance of connecting with your “why.”
This week on The Mindset Zone:
Mark’s beginnings in cosmetic dentistry
Why Mark started feeling frustrated after a year and a half of working as a dental lab technician
How the desire to be at the forefront of innovation energized Mark in his work
The power of believing and speaking from your vision
How seeing the impact of his work on other people’s lives motivated him
The importance of connecting with your “why”
Why Mark had to found a new company from scratch and what he learned from the experience
How giving back gives meaning to Mark’s work
Educating the dental community and dental patients
Resources Mentioned:
Give Back a Smile
Guest:
Mark Willes is the founder and co-developer of Durathin Veneers. Mark began his training as a dental lab technician at Utah Valley Dental Lab in 1996, where he soon became a partner. He has served as an assistant instructor for the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum’s Advanced Anterior Course and has also worked with the Hornbrook Group as a lab instructor. Over the years, Mark has developed several live patient programs, including his current hands-on DURAthin LIVE courses with Dr. Dennis Wells. In 2008, Mark and Dr. Wells—co-developers of DURAthin Veneers—were awarded the AACD’s Outstanding Scientific Advancement in Cosmetic Dentistry award for their work with no-prep veneers.
Connect with Mark Willes:
Experience Dental Studio
Durathin Veneers
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Jun 16, 2023 • 38min
Loss, Acting, and Connection with Darrell Stern
 “Acting is symbiotic with human life, culture, and how we interact with others.” 
- Darrell Stern
Darrell joins me today to discuss thriving through loss and transforming challenges into opportunities to thrive. He explains how he first got into musical theater and describes how the art helped him get out of his shell. He describes using acting techniques to manifest and discusses the relationship between acting and authenticity. Darrell also elaborates on uses for acting beyond TV and theater, highlights why it is an integral part of the human experience, and reveals why marketing is a form of acting.
This week on The Mindset Zone:
Thriving through loss
How Darrell first got into musical theater
The relationship between acting and authenticity
Acting in different modalities in different situations
Darrell’s thoughts on the “fake it ‘til you make it” adage
Connecting through loss
How acting helps us connect internally and externally
How connecting with the inner self allows people to connect with an audience
The actor’s craft and the importance of articulation
Transforming challenges into strengths and assets
The duality of social life and social networking for business
Guest:
Darrell Stern is a master storyteller and CEO of Stern Inbound Marketing Agency, the world’s leading video-driven content marketing agency. Darrell has over 30 years of experience in digital marketing and is renowned worldwide as a “Digital Marketing Jedi.” By offering marketing methodologies and techniques at the Stern Marketing Academy, he helps others elevate their businesses. Darrell holds a Bachelor’s in Theater Arts from Drew University and a Master’s in Communication Arts from Montclair State University.
Connect with Darrell Stern:
Stern Marketing
Stern Marketing Academy
Stern Marketing on LinkedIn
Stern Marketing Academy on Facebook
Darrell Stern on LinkedIn
Darrell Stern on Instagram
Darrell Stern on Twitter
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Jun 9, 2023 • 11min
Message In A Bottle. To The Moon and Beyond.
 “It’s a miracle that we are here—that we are curious beings who want to learn and expand possibilities for ourselves, for the ones around us, for the world, and for the universe.” 
- Ana Melikian
When you were a child, did you get a chance to write a message on a piece of paper, put it into a bottle, and throw it into the ocean or a big river? Now, imagine doing that again, but this time, instead of throwing it into an expansive body of water, you throw it up to space, where future generations of space-faring humans—or even other intelligent life forms—can read your message. If you had that chance to send a message that would outlast you to a future generation you’d never meet, what would you write?
In this episode, I discuss LifeShip’s mission to launch DNA to the moon. I share the message I would write to the universe, given the chance. I also highlight why exploring the vast universe inside our being is as important and valuable as exploring the universe beyond Earth.
This week on The Mindset Zone:
LifeShip’s mission to launch DNA to the moon
Why send our DNA to the moon?
The message I’d want to send out to the universe
Resources Mentioned:
MagicMind.co | Discount Code: MINDZONE20
LifeShip
Ben Haldeman
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Jun 2, 2023 • 22min
Differentiating Stressors & Stress Responses for Improved Well-being
 “If you can see the space between stimulus and response, you start having the power to choose your response. This is the core of self-leadership and your self-development” 
- Ana Melikian
What is the difference between a stressor and a stress response? The answer—that the stressor is what triggers the stress response—may be simple and obvious, but it isn’t something apparent to us when we’re in a stressful situation ourselves. Sometimes, we even deal with the stressor but forgo dealing with the stress response and get stuck in a never-ending stress cycle. Understanding the difference between a stressor and a stress response and widening the space between the two can help unlock better possibilities for us—and improve our well-being.
In this episode, I highlight the difference between stressors and stress responses and dissect an excerpt from the book, Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. I outline everyday examples of stress triggers and describe our tendency to carry our stress response beyond the situation. I also explain how physical activity can help us complete our stress response without getting stuck in the stress cycle and underscore how practicing the Pause principle allows us to see and widen the space between stressor and stress response.
This week on The Mindset Zone:
An excerpt from Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
The difference between stress and stressors
Everyday stressors and our tendency to carry our stress response throughout an entire day
What creates the cycle of chronic stress in our lives
Completing our stress response without getting stuck in the stress cycle
Reflections on burnout
The evolutionary history behind stress response
Seeing the space between stressor and stress response
The PIE method and practicing the art of the Pause
Resources Mentioned:
Magic Mind at magicmind.co/mindzone | Coupon code: MINDZONE20
Book: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski Ph.D. and Amelia Nagoski DMA
Book: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle (Audible) by Emily Nagoski Ph.D. and Amelia Nagoski DMA
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May 26, 2023 • 18min
Understanding Burnout: A Reflection
 “We can certainly learn how to be more efficient, how to be high-performance, how to make a bigger positive impact, and still have the energy to enjoy the fruits of our labor—and that is really important.” 
- Ana Melikian
Have you checked in with yourself to see if you’re exhausted at work? Have you asked yourself recently what burnout is?
I’ve noticed that whenever I tell people I’ve been focusing on burnout—especially in the context of making a positive impact in the world while avoiding burnout—the immediate response I almost always get is “Oh, that’s important work,” or “We need that.” I am yet to find a person who asks me, “What is burnout?” I assume that most people have an intuitive feeling of what burnout is—which makes it more important to define. When we understand it and its nuances better, we can help people avoid its extremes.
In this episode, I share my reflections about burnout. I define burnout and outline its three dimensions according to the World Health Organization. I describe typical burnout profiles. I also discuss what we can learn from the “frog in a pot” myth, share my personal experience with burnout, and underscore how it’s possible to do good work and positively impact the world while preventing stress and burnout.
This week on The Mindset Zone:
What is burnout?
Current research on burnout
Seeing burnout through a systemic perspective
Energy depletion and exhaustion
Increased mental disconnect from one’s job and feelings of cynicism at work
Reducing professional efficacy
Measuring burnout and your burnout profile
How being deeply connected to our work can lead to overexertion and overwork
The burnout profile I personally have fallen into
Gradual stress and why we tend to burn out without realizing it
My experience with burnout and cancer
The impact of chronic stress on our health and well-being
Burnout red flags to watch out for
My mission to help us engage with our impact while avoiding burnout
Resources Mentioned:
Book: The Burnout Challenge: Managing People’s Relationships with Their Jobs by Christina Maslach
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May 19, 2023 • 28min
The Best You with Bernardo Moya
 “We need to up our game, think differently, and expand our horizons. Elevating our consciousness and becoming better humans, loving more, taking care of our environment—that’s what represents the best you.” 
- Bernardo Moya
Bernardo joins me today to discuss his journey toward self-development. He explains how wanting to improve his communication and sales skills led him to the world of personal development. He describes what drove him to eventually seek personal development beyond its applications to sales and entrepreneurship. Bernardo also shares the books that have had the most significant impact on him and his journey and highlights how we can continue improving ourselves in an increasingly fast-paced, technologically advanced world.
This week on The Mindset Zone:
How Bernardo realized the importance of personal development
Exploring personal development beyond its application in sales and business
How reading Change Your Life in Seven Days by Paul McKenna impacted Bernardo
The secrets of personal development success
How Bernardo dealt with failure before he practiced self-development
The ethos behind the Best You Expo
NLP and the power of words and gratitude
The multimedia format of the Best You brand
Staying the course with self-development amid an accelerated world
Guest:
Bernardo Moya is a mentor, coach, speaker, and entrepreneur. He is the founder of The Best You, a multimedia platform including the Best You EXPO, The Best You Magazine, The Best You TV, The Best You Online, and more. The Best You is an enterprise dedicated to providing people with the skills, tools, knowledge, and wisdom necessary to improve their lives and achieve their dreams. Bernardo is also the best-selling author of The Question and Man Evolving. In addition to his work with The Best You, Bernardo is also a licensed NLP Trainer and serves as the CEO of NLP Life Ltd.
Connect with Bernardo Moya:
The Best You
The Best You Expo
Bernardo Moya Website
Book: The Question: Find Your True Purpose
Book: A Man Evolving: Confessions about monogamy, passion and broken hearts.
The Best You on LinkedIn
The Best You on Instagram
The Best You on Facebook
The Best You on Twitter
Bernardo Moya on LinkedIn
Bernardo Moya on Instagram
Bernardo Moya on Facebook
Bernardo Moya on Twitter
Bernardo Moya on YouTube
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! by Robert Kiyosaki
Book: Change Your Life in Seven Days by Paul McKenna
Book: The Ultimate Coach by Amy Hardison and Alan Thompson
Book: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Book: The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eva Eger
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May 12, 2023 • 24min
Work Smarter, Not Harder: Jenny Lynne Erickson Interviews Ana Melikian
 “Learning to tap into human potential by working smarter and not harder allowed me to achieve my goals without waking up tired every day. I could enjoy life and my family—travel and exercise more.” 
- Ana Melikian
In this episode, I join Jenny Lynne at the Death of a Workaholic podcast to discuss unlocking human potential by working smarter—not harder. We explore my journey with dyslexia and how my relationship with work was shaped when I was around nine years old.
We discuss the pivotal moment that woke me up to the necessity of shifting my relationship with work. We also highlight how having clarity of priorities makes it easier to say “yes” and “no” and underscore the power of taking pauses.
This episode was rebroadcast here at the Mindset Zone with explicit consent from Jenny Lynne Erickson, the host of The Death of a Workaholic podcast.
This week on The Mindset Zone:
Working hard at nine years old
How having dyslexia led me to develop a work ethic I’m proud of
How my relationship with work showed up in my career later in life
My diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer
How I learned to work smarter and not harder
Making peace with saying “no”
Human compassion and how people supported me while I sought treatment for cancer
Slipping back into old habits and looking at human potential from a different perspective
The Eisenhower Matrix and how I started working smarter
The importance and power of taking pauses
What micropauses are and how they help us reevaluate everything in our lives
Tricks to integrating micropauses in our daily lives
My definition of success
Our Favorite Quotes:
“Sometimes, it can be hard to recognize the deposits you’ve made over the years of working hard and that you can ask for something in return.” - Jenny Lynne Erickson
“The thing about situations like a cancer diagnosis or a divorce is that, suddenly, priorities become very clear, and what we say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to becomes easier because of that clarity.” - Ana Melikian
“ ‘Between stimulus and response is the space where we have the power to choose our response, and in our response lies our growth and freedom.’ But for us to see that space, we have to learn how to press the pause button.” - Ana Melikian
Resources Mentioned:
Original Episode: Death of a Workaholic Podcast Episode 06 - Work Smarter, Not Harder - Ana Melikian
Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Book: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
The interviewer:
Jenny Lynne Erickson is an entrepreneur, business advisor, writer, and the host of the Death of a Workaholic podcast. A keynote speaker on work-life integration, hustle culture, and leadership, Jenny Lynne is on a mission to guide entrepreneurs and leaders beyond workaholism and toward reorganizing their businesses. Jenny Lynne also serves as the Idea Activator behind ACThoughtful Consulting LLC, an organization that changes the odds for micro-businesses and helps them start and sustain their impact. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management and Communications from Concordia University, St. Paul.
Connect with Jenny Lynne Erickson:
Jenny Lynne Erickson Website
ACThoughtful
Podcast: Death of a Workaholic
Jenny Lynne Erickson on LinkedIn
Jenny Lynne Erickson on Facebook
Jenny Lynne Erickson on Twitter
Email: Jenny@JennyLynneErickson.com
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May 5, 2023 • 32min
Changing the Mindset of Homelessness with Jenna Juniper
 “It takes a team, a village, a nation to move this needle of building more housing and getting individuals out of homeless shelters into stable housing.” 
- Jenna Juniper
Jenna joins me today to discuss the personal experiences that led her to work in—and advocate for—affordable housing. She describes how having access to housing enabled her to turn her life around.
She explains how the pandemic has affected the cost of living and what it will take to expand affordable housing. She also highlights how volunteers, advocates, and housing workers can better help vulnerable people by taking care of their own well-being and underscores how moments of pause and reprieve can help vulnerable people unlock their potential.
This week on The Mindset Zone:
Jenna’s story, mission to end homelessness, and passion for expanding affordable housing
The role of inner work in unlocking human potential
Humans as connecting and collaborative beings
Evolving the conversations around homelessness and affordable housing
Why basic needs like housing are critical to doing inner work and unlocking human potential
Ana’s PIE method and why moments of pause are critical to vulnerable people
Why helpers, volunteers, and advocates need to also take care of themselves as they help others
Guest:
Jenna Juniper is a national speaker and housing consultant. She is the President and CEO of the Housing Consultants of America, an organization of affordable housing consultants, auditors, and trainers. Over her 16-year career, Jenna has successfully partnered developers with nonprofits, implementing and sustaining critical and supportive services on low-income properties across the nation. Before her role as President and CEO at the Housing Consultants of America, Jenna worked as the Director of Compliance & Hearing Officer at Gorman & Company. She graduated from DeVry University with a Bachelor’s in Computer & Information Systems and holds over a dozen affordable housing designations, including the HOME Compliance Specialist designation issued by the National Center for Housing Management.
Connect with Jenna Juniper:
Housing Consultants of America
Housing Consultants of America, LLC on LinkedIn
Housing Consultants of America, LLC on Instagram
Housing Consultants of America, LLC on Facebook
Jenna Juniper on LinkedIn
Jenna Juniper on Instagram
Jenna Juniper on Facebook
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Apr 28, 2023 • 31min
Rethinking Aging with Phyllis Ayman
 “Wine, when aged, is way more expensive. We value antiques because they represent a different age and tell a different story. Why don’t we apply the same thing to people?” 
- Phyllis Ayman
Phyllis joins me today to discuss how we can shift the conversation around aging. She describes life and aging as the stages of a play and outlines limiting beliefs related to aging and ageism.
She explains why it’s the responsibility of older people to embrace strategies that allow them to age gracefully and vibrantly and how intellectual stimulation and social connection help avoid cognitive decline.
Phyllis also highlights the importance of bridging the connection between younger and older generations and underscores the value of lived experience.
This week on The Mindset Zone:
Phyllis’ mindset about aging
How colleges around the country are building bridges between older and younger people
The “Sandwich” generation
What ignited Phyllis’ advocacy work on aging and elder care
Why older people don’t receive the care they deserve
The importance of sleep in cognitive health
How taking care of our bodies in a holistic way can prevent cognitive decline
The role of mindset in changing the culture and conversations around aging
Guest:
Phyllis Ayman is an ambassador for Conscious Aging Life Management. She is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of several books, including Overdue: Quality Care for Our Elder Citizens, which became a #1 New Release on Amazon. Phyllis is also a speech and language pathologist with over 40 years of experience working with families in long-term care. Phyllis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Emerson College and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. In addition to her work, Phyllis serves as a committee member of the UN NGO Committee on Aging and is a board member of the Massachusetts Advocates for Nursing Home Reform.
Connect with Phyllis Ayman:
Phyllis Ayman Associates
Podcast: Seniors STRAIGHT Talk
Book: Overdue: Quality Care for Our Elder Citizens
Phyllis Ayman on LinkedIn
Phyllis Ayman on Instagram
Phyllis Ayman on Facebook
Phyllis Ayman on Twitter
Phyllis Ayman on YouTube
Email: Phyllis@PhyllisAymanAssociates.com
Related Content:
The Sandwich Generation, Aging, and Community with Shain Khoja
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Apr 21, 2023 • 35min
Transformation, Trauma, Cancer and Emotions. A Conversation with David Richman
 “If you have no idea who you are, then you haven’t been the best you. Work hard and make up for the time and become the best you.” 
- David Richman
David joins me today to discuss transformation, trauma, cancer, and emotions. He describes the wake-up call that made him take ownership of his life’s transformation and what it means to be “response-able.”
He explains how putting himself first helped him transform himself physically and why it took him longer to rewire his brain than to transform his body. He explores mindsets and overcoming years of trauma and bad habits. David also elaborates on why people have difficulties conversing about the emotional side of trauma and offers advice on having difficult conversations about trauma.
This week on The Mindset Zone:
David’s transformation from being an overweight smoker to Ironman ultramarathoner
What inspired David to write Winning in the Middle of the Pack
How long it took for David to physically transform himself
Why we need to transform psychologically as well as physically
His sister’s battle with brain cancer
Why it’s difficult for us to talk about the emotional side of trauma
How trauma can be isolating for the people experiencing it
Ana’s journey with inflammatory breast cancer
What we can learn from children about courage
Guest:
David Richman is an endurance athlete, financial services professional, and public speaker. By taking lessons he learned from business and sports, David conceptualized the “middle of the pack” principle and other ideas on getting more out of ourselves than we ever imagined. He is the author of several books, including Cycle of Lives: 15 People's Stories, 5,000 Miles, and a Journey Through the Emotional Chaos of Cancer and Winning in the Middle of the Pack: Realizing True Success in Business and in Life.
Connect with David Richman:
David Richman Website
Raymond James
Book: Cycle of Lives: 15 People's Stories, 5,000 Miles, and a Journey Through the Emotional Chaos of Cancer
Book: Winning in the Middle of the Pack: Realizing True Success in Business and in Life
David Richman on LinkedIn
David Richman on Instagram
David Richman on Facebook
David Richman on Twitter
Resources Mentioned:
Book: Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown
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