

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

6 snips
Jun 21, 2024 • 32min
Co-Creating a Better Near Future with AI – Neil Redding
Neil Redding, an innovation architect and near futurist, discusses the intersection of AI and human potential. Topics include practical AI applications, mindset's influence on experiences, and shaping a positive future through co-creation and collaboration.

Jun 14, 2024 • 6min
Press Pause and Sharpen: Unlocking Your Full Potential
Ana Melikian challenges listeners to imagine themselves as pencils, symbolizing untapped potential. She emphasizes the importance of pressing pause to sharpen ourselves regularly to unlock our full potential. The podcast explores the concept of mindset transformation and aligning life with dreams through mastering mindsets.

Jun 7, 2024 • 0sec
Exploring Mindset Definitions
"Mindsets are habits of mind."
-Ana Melikian
In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, revisits a significant discussion on leveraging the power of mindsets to unlock human potential. Originally recorded in January 2023, this rebroadcast celebrates the release of her book, "Mindset Zone," which delves deep into how our mindsets can shape our possibilities.
Ana outlines three primary approaches to understanding mindsets:
- Mindsets as beliefs, popularized by positive psychology and Dr. Carol Dweck's work on fixed and growth mindsets.
- Mindsets as information processing styles, stemming from cognitive psychology research on goal setting and implementation.
- Mindsets as lenses or filters, frequently utilized in organizational leadership to comprehend worldviews and frames of reference.
She shares personal anecdotes, such as her journey with dyslexia, to illustrate the impact of adopting a growth mindset and the importance of understanding our cognitive processes.
Ana emphasizes the need for a holistic perspective on mindsets, considering both internal and external dimensions, as well as the systemic contexts in which we operate. This comprehensive approach not only fosters personal transformation but can also catalyze innovation and problem-solving in teams and organizations.
Tune in to explore these insights and discover how expanding your mindset can significantly elevate your impact and avoid burnout.
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:02 Announcement of Book Launch
02:31 Defining Mindsets and Their Approaches
04:13 Fixed vs. Growth Mindsets
07:53 Cognitive Psychology on Mindsets
10:09 Mindsets as Cognitive Filters
12:00 The Power of Inner and Outer Dimensions
14:38 Holistic Framework for Expanding Possibilities
16:00 The Etymology of "Mindset"
18:56 Conclusion and Invitation to Follow the Podcast
20:25 Closing Remarks and Call to Action
Meet Your Host:
Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.
𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?
Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!
Connect with:
Ana on LinkedIn
Resources:
BOOK: MINDSET ZONE: Actualize Your Human Potential
Related episodes:
Expand What’s Possible

May 31, 2024 • 0sec
Celebrating the Launch of the MINDSET ZONE Book
"Mindsets are habits of mind."
-Ana Melikian
In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, celebrates the release of her new book, "MINDSET ZONE: Actualize Your Human Potential." Ana discusses the motivation behind writing the book and shares insights about the diverse definitions of mindset and their origins. She explains how she sees mindsets as habits of mind that can be changed and optimized for personal and professional growth.
Ana recounts the exciting launch week where her book achieved various top rankings on Amazon, including number one in organizational learning.
She expresses gratitude for the support of her community and illustrates how her book aims to help readers expand their mindsets and try new approaches.
Ana introduces the P.I.E. Method (Pause, Increase self-awareness, Embrace experimentation), which is designed to help individuals develop effective mindsets. She believes that making pauses, increasing self-awareness, and experimenting without fear of failure are keys to unlocking one's potential.
The episode also touches on universal practices for mindset enhancement, like the importance of maintaining a beginner’s mind and continuously learning new things.
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:50 Motivation Behind Writing the Book
01:41 Book Launch Celebration and Amazon Rankings
03:18 Diverse Definitions of Mindset
05:54 Origins of the Word ‘Mindset’
06:52 The Concept of Habits of Mind
07:46 Practical Approaches to Changing Mindsets
09:16 Importance of Pauses (PIE Method)
10:09 Increasing Self-awareness and Embracing Experimentation
12:04 Cultivating a Beginner’s Mind
12:19 Book Availability on Amazon
13:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
13:51 Expand What's Possible
Meet Your Host:
Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.
𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?
Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!
Connect with:
Ana on LinkedIn
Resources:
Book: MINDSET ZONE: Actualize Your Human Potential
Expand What’s Possible

May 24, 2024 • 25min
HELPing Homeless Kids: Dawn Marie Rapaport’s Transformative Organization
"There's a bigger purpose for you."
-Dawn Marie Rapaport
In this episode, host Ana Melikian is joined by Dawn Marie Rapaport, the inspiring founder of HELP (Homeless Engagement Lift Partnership). Dawn Marie shares her remarkable journey from experiencing homelessness herself as a child to creating a transformative organization that now serves over 300 schools with their H.E.L.P.Snackz program.
Dawn Marie recounts the struggles and traumas she faced growing up homeless in Arizona and how her grandfather's positive messages helped her persevere. She discusses the pivotal moment that led her to start HELP and how the organization has evolved over 13 years. The conversation delves into the powerful impact of H.E.L.P.Snackz and the personalized messages that uplift the spirits of at-risk children.
Ana and Dawn Marie explore the ripple effect of one person making a difference, the importance of empowering homeless children, and the various programs HELP offers to break the cycle of homelessness. They also discuss the vital role of community support, partnerships, and volunteers in sustaining HELP's mission.
Join us in this heartfelt episode that showcases the power of resilience, positivity, and community in transforming lives and expanding what’s possible.
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:00 Expanding Impact in School Districts with Help Snacks
00:33 Meet Ana Melikian: Mission to Support and Avoid Burnout
01:16 Introducing Dawn Marie Rappaport and Her Mission
02:03 Dawn Marie's Personal Journey from Homelessness to Helping Others
07:20 The Birth of a Life-Changing Organization
10:51 The Evolution of Help Snacks: From Idea to Impact
15:58 Expanding Support Beyond Food: Life Skills and Community Engagement
18:55 Harnessing Community Support and Volunteer Power
22:07 How to Get Involved and Support the Cause
24:04 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement to Make a Difference
Meet the Guest:
Dawn Marie Rapaport is the founder of the Homeless Engagement Lift Partnership (H.E.L.P.), transforming the lives of families with children for over 13 years. Her personal experience with homelessness fuels her empathy and dedication, driving her to help families transition out of homelessness. Dawn Marie's efforts extend to educating and mobilizing the community, becoming a respected voice in the field.
Creating and nurturing H.E.L.P. has been both the most challenging and rewarding endeavor of Dawn Marie’s life. Her unwavering determination to improve the system, work on prevention and reduce the size of the Family homeless community continues to drive her mission forward.
Connect with:
Dawn Marie Rapaport on LinkedIn
Resources:
helpnowaz.org
Related episodes:
Changing the Mindset of Homelessness with Jenna Juniper
Problem Solving and Social Justice with Cathy Snyder
Expand What’s Possible

May 17, 2024 • 21min
AI – How does it make you feel?
"AI is a 100-foot wave. It's going to disrupt everything directly or indirectly."
-Ana Melikian
In this episode, host Ana Melikian, delves into the intriguing topic of AI and its impact on our emotions and humanity. Ana explores how AI, much like a 100-foot wave, is a force of disruption that brings with it a mix of excitement and apprehension.
Ana discusses various audience reactions to AI, ranging from curiosity and amazement to discomfort and skepticism. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging these diverse feelings and leveraging them to navigate the AI wave effectively.
Ana shares her innovative approach of using AI avatars in her presentations to engage audiences and gather their emotional responses via surveys, creating fascinating insights.
She highlights the need for a balanced approach to AI, urging listeners to neither ignore nor be overwhelmed by it. Instead, Ana encourages adopting a strategy akin to surfing the 100-foot wave—embracing AI while safeguarding human potential and well-being. She underscores the importance of collective effort, comparing it to the teamwork seen in big wave surfing to ensure AI enhances rather than detracts from humanity.
Tune in to explore how to press the pause button, increase self-awareness, and embrace an experimentation mindset to harness AI's potential without falling into burnout.
Ana calls for diverse, humanistic voices to join the conversation, ensuring a holistic approach to AI's integration into our lives.
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:59 AI and Human Response
02:12 Using AI Avatars in Presentations
03:24 Audience Reactions and Emotional Responses to AI
05:15 The Importance of a Balanced Approach to AI
07:02 Surfing the 100-Foot AI Wave: A Team Effort
10:00 Pressing Pause and Increasing Self-Awareness
12:00 Embracing Experimentation Mindset
16:51 Bringing Humanistic Voices to the AI Conversation
18:16 Conclusion and Call for Listener Input
Meet Your Host:
Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.
𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?
Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!
Connect with:
Ana on LinkedIn
Resources:
Survey - AI - How does it make you feel?
Related episodes:
Expand What’s Possible

May 10, 2024 • 27min
Celebrating Craft in Business & Life with Adam McKee
"Celebrating craft, celebrating what you're good at, is what I wanna spend my life's work on."
-Adam McKee
In this episode, host Ana Melikian is joined by Adam McKee, a visionary small business owner and craftsman from Lincoln, Nebraska. Adam delves into the ethos of celebrating craft in both business and life, sharing his experiences from taking over Contemporary Woods, a custom cabinetry business specializing in high-end homes.
Ana and Adam discuss the intricate relationship between craftsmanship and mindset, emphasizing the importance of focusing on both the tangible and intangible aspects of one's work. Adam sheds light on his personal journey, detailing the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and the transformative power of continuous learning and community engagement.
The conversation also covers strategic and tactical approaches to business, highlighting how maintaining high standards and fostering a culture of teamwork and improvement can propel a business forward. Adam's commitment to changing the legacy of his last name and enhancing the lives of those around him through his work truly encapsulates the spirit of celebrating craft.
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:21 Ana introduces Adam McKee and the theme of the episode
01:33 Adam discusses his background and his business, Contemporary Woods
02:33 The concept of celebrating craft and its impact on personal and professional life
04:23 Exploring the deeper values behind craftsmanship
07:15 The transition from being a craftsman to a business owner
10:14 Strategic and tactical learning in business development
13:09 The importance of culture and core values in a business setting
16:18 Learning from books and the significance of choosing the right mentors
19:24 Discussion on personal growth and legacy within family and business
22:50 Final thoughts and where to find more about Adam and his work
Meet Meet the Guest:
Adam McKee is the owner of Contemporary Woods, a family-owned small business that serves their local community by delivering fine craftsmanship with integrity and creativity.
Connect with:
Adam McKee's LinkedIn
ContemporaryWoods.com
Instagram @contemporary_woods
Related episodes:
Listen also to Stickability: An Essential Mindset for Success with Greg S. Reid
Expand What’s Possible

May 3, 2024 • 16min
Defying Expectations: Embracing Challenges and Overcoming Limitations
"You will find the critical points in your life where you defy expectations."
-Ana Melikian
In this episode, host Ana Melikian delves into her personal and inspiring journey of defying expectations, both self-imposed and those set by society. Ana shares fascinating stories from her life, from her experience as a speaker with an accent in three languages, to more profound experiences like dealing with dyslexia and overcoming serious health challenges like inflammatory breast cancer.
Ana reflects on her upbringing during the Carnation Revolution in Portugal, her academic challenges and triumphs, and professional choices that led her to move across continents for love and pursue her passion in a new country. Each story highlights how she surpassed the expected limitations and societal norms to redefine success on her own terms.
She encourages listeners to examine their own life narratives through the lens of defying expectations, whether it be tackling bias about professional capabilities based on physical attributes, or pushing back against cultural stereotypes. Ana's message is clear – embracing a mindset of defiance can lead to extraordinary personal growth and accomplishment.
This episode is a call to listeners to engage in self-reflection, identify their own areas of 'expectation defiance', and perhaps challenge a few limiting beliefs along the way.
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:00:00 Introduction and Ana's Mission
00:01:04 Defying expectations in language and speech
00:02:10 Personal history and the impact of the Carnation Revolution
00:03:46 Overcoming dyslexia and academic challenges
00:06:36 Defying gender norms in childhood and adolescence
00:07:55 Multilingual achievements and academic pursuits abroad
00:08:44 Personal decisions leading to life in the USA
00:10:07 Battling and overcoming inflammatory breast cancer
00:11:05 Reflecting on interviews from the podcast that defy expectations
00:14:16 The PIE method – Pause, Increase self-awareness, Experiment with defying expectations
00:15:31 Additional resources and how to connect with Ana
Meet Your Host:
Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.
𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?
Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!
Connect with:
Ana on LinkedIn
Resources:
Embracing Tree Hugging Capitalism with Nicole Fende
Harnessing Positivity for Success: Chris Toledo's Journey from Basketball to Motivational Speaking
Push Through Mindset Shift with Sue Stevenson
Related episodes:
Expand What’s Possible

Apr 26, 2024 • 15min
The Power of Colors: Uncovering the Hidden Impact of Hues in Our Daily Lives
"Colors evoke emotions conditioned by personal associations, our culture, and historical context."
-Ana Melikian
In this episode, our host, Ana Melikian, immerses herself in the vibrant world of hues as she unravels the significant role colors play in our lives. Like her cherished collection of scarves, Ana views colors as a means to transform our appearance, mood, and mindset.
She delves into how colors are a silent language influencing our emotions and shaping our actions, an awareness meticulously capitalized on by advertising and marketing industries. Ana highlights the strategic choice of colors by brands to evoke specific feelings—red communicates energy and urgency, while blue is synonymous with trust and calmness, to name a few.
Ana turns to the cultural and historical journey of color perceptions, such as the shifting gender connotations of pink or the power of purple. The episode is a color palette urging audiences to become more self-aware of their color choices. It's an invitation to pause, reflect, and maybe step out of your chromatic comfort zone to see how it changes your feelings and actions.
Are you ready to explore the power of colors in the zone where mindset matters?
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:03 Introduction to the Power of Colors
01:24 Significance of Colors in Branding
02:18 Ana's Personal Connection to Red in Her Brand
03:35 The Symbolism Behind Different Colors
04:39 How Brands Can Shape Color Meanings
06:03 Historical Context and Evolution of Color Meanings
07:30 Colors and Their Significance in Eastern Traditions
09:02 The Personal Impact of Color Choices in Daily Life
11:37 The importance of Color in Business Environments
Meet Your Host:
Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.
𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?
Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!
Connect with:
Ana on LinkedIn
Resources:
Phoenix Art Museum Exhibition: The Power of Pink
Related episodes:
Expand What’s Possible

Apr 19, 2024 • 40min
Journey to Maximizing Impact: Tyler Wagner interviews Ana Melikian, Ph.D.
"We have to be able to see the space between the stimulus and the response."
-Ana Melikian, Ph.D.
In this episode of Mindset Zone, Authors Unite founder Tyler Wagner interviews Ana Melikian, PhD, for a transformative discussion on the systemic approach to human potential and the management of burnout. Ana introduces the listeners to her profound PIE method, emphasizing the power of pause, increased self-awareness, and a mindset geared towards experimentation.
Tyler and Ana delve into practical strategies for fostering sustainable work environments, highlight the continuum between burnout and full engagement, and touch upon the indispensable role sleep plays in maintaining optimal functioning.
Ana candidly shares her personal journey from psychology to coaching, revealing how her battle with cancer triggered a paradigm shift that led her to work smarter, not harder, and profoundly maximize her impact.
With an array of insights spanning from the psychological frameworks employed in therapy to the significance of connecting within larger systems, this episode is an enlightening roadmap for anyone looking to enhance their personal and organizational well-being.
Join us for a conversation that promises to uplift, inspire, and equip you with the tools necessary to thrive in today's fast-paced world while staying grounded in purpose and balance. Remember, when you feel stuck or overwhelmed, hope is available, and asking for help is a courageous step.
Ready to explore the intersection of individual growth and systemic synergy to prevent burnout and optimize your impact?
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:07 Introduction and Welcome
01:20 Ana Melikian's Journey from Psychology to Coaching
03:45 The PIE Method – Pause, Increase Awareness, Experiment
05:30 Strategies for Organizations to Prevent Burnout
07:10 The Importance of Sleep and Managing Work Intensity
09:05 Ana’s Personal Experience with Cancer and Redefining Work
11:15 The Continuum of Burnout and Full Engagement
13:40 Tools and Frameworks in Psychotherapy
15:20 Tapping into Human Potential through Connection and Systems
17:50 Concluding Thoughts and Further Resources
Ana Melikian Journey to Maximizing Impact Qoute
The interviewer:
Tyler Wagner is the founder of Authors Unite, a publishing company that allows business owners to elevate their message through the power of authorship.
Learn more about his work at:
authorsunite.com
The Tyler Wagner Show
*This episode is rebroadcast here at the MINDSET ZONE® with explicit consent from Tyler Wagner, the host of the “The Tyler Wagner Show” podcast.
Related episodes:
Expand What’s Possible


