Live Into Your Brilliance

We have all had those moments when we snap at someone we love, stew over a comment at work, or replay an argument in our head and then wonder later, what was that really about.In this conversation with coach and community builder Marlene Mier, we explore the quiet truth most of us miss. Our reactions are rarely about the moment in front of us. They come from the stories we have been carrying for years. The labels, the judgments, the old conditioning. All of it shapes how we see others and how we see ourselves.The good news is that even one pause can interrupt the cycle. With a moment of stillness we move from reaction to response. From fear to curiosity. From the story we have told ourselves to the truth of what is here now.If you have ever felt hijacked by your emotions or misunderstood in your relationships this conversation is a reminder that peace is much closer than you think.🔥 Topics We Explore:Why our reactions are rarely about what is happening right nowHow old stories and labels distort the way we see othersThe practice of the sacred pause and the hot minute of stillnessLetting go of the need to be right in favor of being kindWhat it means to hold life lightly instead of gripping tightlyHow presence and curiosity can change any relationship💭 Reflective Prompt:Where in your life are you reacting to an old story instead of what is really happening. What would shift if you gave yourself a single pause before responding🧠 Quote to Remember:“Every moment is an opportunity. Are we willing to embrace it” — Marlene Mier🌐 Produced in partnership with:www.podlad.com

How often do you tell yourself, “I can’t because…”?In this episode, Al and Bilos go deep into the hidden power of self doubt and limiting beliefs through the context of choice, the choices available to us, the choices we make and the choices we don't make.The quiet narratives that convince us we’re stuck, when in reality we have far more choice than we realize and EVERYTHING is a choice.This is about rediscovering the inspiration, wisdom, and freedom that come when you see self-improvement not as fixing yourself, but as remembering what’s already true: you always have choice.🔥 Topics We Explore:• How “I can’t” is usually just fear disguised as fact• Why self doubt and limiting beliefs create invisible prisons• The difference between genuine needs and ego-driven wants• Practical self-improvement tips for breaking free of stuck thinking• How taking just five minutes of action can dissolve overwhelm• Why wisdom lives in holding things lightly, not gripping tightly• The surprising freedom that comes when you stop over-identifying with status, stuff, or roles💭 Reflective Prompt:Where are you saying “I can’t because…” in your life? What changes if you reframe it as “I choose not to…”?🧠 Quote to Remember:“The moment you hold all of your attachments lightly, you’ll realize you have all the choice in the world.”🌐 Produced in partnership with:http://www.podlad.com

What if the real power in life isn’t about fixing, controlling, or resisting — but simply accepting what is?In this intimate two-way conversation, Al and Bilos explore how acceptance can transform even the most frustrating or painful situations. From family struggles to everyday annoyances, they share raw, personal stories of catching themselves in resistance — and the surprising freedom that arrived the moment they let go.This isn’t about giving up. It’s about seeing clearly, softening your grip, and remembering that life is a game of snakes and ladders. Sometimes you hit a setback, sometimes you rise — but when you accept what shows up, you unlock the choice to play differently.If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate life without being ruled by fear or resistance, this episode is a reminder that acceptance is not weakness — it’s the doorway to wisdom, resilience, and freedom.🔥 Topics We Explore:Why acceptance makes problems dissolve (even when circumstances don’t change)The difference between experiencing life and choosing how to play the gameHow resistance amplifies suffering, while acceptance opens new possibilitiesWhy the most profound wisdom often hides in the mundaneSeeing life as a game of snakes and ladders — and why setbacks are part of the designMoving beyond “I don’t have a choice” to “I choose not to”💭 Reflective Prompt:Where in your life are you resisting reality? What might happen if you accepted it — fully, just as it is — without trying to change a thing?🧠 Quote to Remember:“Acceptance makes all my problems go away today.”🌐 Produced in partnership with:www.podlad.com

Most of us grip tightly to life’s problems, convinced we need to force solutions. But what if the very act of holding on is what keeps us stuck?Jett Yang — entrepreneur, innovator, and deep thinker shares how surrendering control opens space for intuition, creativity, and new possibilities. From leading cutting-edge sustainability projects to navigating life’s challenges, Jett shows why forcing outcomes often backfires, and how trusting life’s flow reveals the path we couldn’t see before.If you’ve ever exhausted yourself chasing fixes, hacks, or rigid solutions, this conversation invites you to relax your grip — and discover the quiet clarity that comes when you let life lead.🔥 Topics We Explore:Why “solutions” often create more problemsEinstein’s reminder: you can’t solve a problem from the same level of consciousness that created itThe power of shifting metaphors — from mechanical systems to ecological flowWhy intuition is a sacred gift, and rationality should serve it (not rule it)How surrender creates space for insights and unexpected breakthroughsSeeing obstacles differently: from problems to possibilitiesPractical ways to practice letting go without becoming passive💭 Reflective Prompt:Where in your life are you forcing an outcome? What might shift if you surrendered and trusted the flow instead?🧠 Quote to Remember:“Rushing into action, you fail. Trying to grasp things, you lose them. Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what was almost ripe.” — Daode Qing🌐 Produced in partnership with:www.podlad.com

We live in a world obsessed with shortcuts — business hacks, fitness hacks, AI hacks, life hacks. But here’s the truth: no one truly successful ever got there by hacking their way through.In this episode, Al and Bilos explore the timeless lesson of the 20 Mile March — the discipline of showing up consistently, day after day, regardless of conditions. Drawing from their own journeys (rucking, hiking, running, and even scientific breakthroughs like sustainable roadbuilding), they show why patience, persistence, and spiritual health beat quick fixes every time.The conversation takes us from the Scottish Highlands to the South Pole, from Nvidia’s rise to the wisdom of Sydney Banks, weaving together a single truth: shortcuts sell to the ego, but discipline feeds the soul.🔥 Topics We Explore:Why hacks are an illusion (and a profitable one at that)The story of Amundsen vs. Scott — and why steady progress winsWhat the 20 Mile March teaches us about patience and confidenceThe difference between intellect (seeking shortcuts) and wisdom (staying the course)How struggle builds spiritual health as well as physical strengthWhy true transformation feels slow, boring, and obvious — until hindsight makes it profound💭 Reflective Prompt:What’s your 20 Mile March? And what would change if you simply committed to it — without searching for a hack?🧠 Quote to Remember:“Your ego buys the hack. Your wisdom knows the march.”🌐 Produced in partnership with:www.podlad.com

Dr. Dicken Bettinger — one of the most respected teachers of the 3 Principles — shares how the work of Sydney Banks transformed his understanding of psychology, human resilience, and the power of thought.From his decades as a counseling psychologist to 23 years of personal mentorship with Sydney Banks, Dicken reveals how the 3 Principles — Mind, Consciousness, and Thought — are a universal framework for understanding all human experience. Along the way, we explore why “outside-in” thinking keeps us stuck, how the power of thought shapes every feeling we have, and why quieting the mind can uncover the unshakable well-being that’s already within us.If you’ve ever searched for the next self-improvement technique, this episode offers a radical shift: you may already be whole — and the doorway to seeing it is closer than you think.🔥 Topics We Explore:How Sydney Banks’ teachings reshaped modern psychologyWhy the 3 Principles point to an “inside-out” understanding of lifeSydney Banks and the power of thought — why it’s the root of all feelingThe surprising link between well-being and the present momentStories from prisons, war zones, and boardrooms — and what they reveal about human resilienceHow immersion, not analysis, opens the door to insightWhy dropping judgment changes relationships instantly💭 Reflective Prompt:What if your feelings were never caused by the outside world — but by the thoughts you hold in the moment? How would that change your life?🧠 Quote to Remember:“The only problem is when we hold on to thought — because underneath it, our well-being is already whole.”🔗 Learn More:Watch more from Dr. Dicken Bettinger: @DickenBettinger Explore Sydney Banks’ original talks: @sydneybanks3🌐 Produced in partnership with:http://www.podlad.com

Our Podcast producer Bren Russell (http://podlad.com) shares the deeply personal story of walking away from what most would call the safest job in Ireland — one week after becoming a father — all because of a gut feeling he couldn’t ignore. What followed wasn’t chaos. It was living!From trusted state employee to thriving entrepreneur, Bren now earns 2x more, lives better, and wakes up excited for the week ahead. But this isn’t a story about chasing money — it’s about redefining success on your own terms, taking small bold steps, and trusting that inner whisper when logic screams “stay put.”If you’ve ever said, “I’d leave my job if I won the lottery” — this is the episode that gently calls your bluff… and invites you to imagine a life you don’t need to escape from.🔥 Topics We Explore:• The power of following intuition, even when it makes no sense on paper• Why dreading Monday might be your body asking you to make a change• How to “fire bullets before the cannonball” and build momentum safely• The real meaning of hard work — and why it still matters• Why you’re allowed to change your mind (as many times as it takes)• A practical, low-risk experiment to start living on your terms💭 Reflective Prompt:What would you do if you won the lottery — and what’s one tiny step you could take toward that today, without waiting?🧪 How You Can Experiment:Next time you feel stuck, don’t aim to fix everything. Just start smaller. Reach out to someone doing what you’d love to do. Ask a question. Book a call. Say it out loud. Small moves compound — and might just change everything.Referenced:School of Greatness PodcastWhy Investing Is the BIGGEST Life Hack & Everyone Should Start Today!:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kjP7_BfGk0&t=261sBook a FREE call with Bren for a chat about podcasting, freelancing or following your passion:https://tidycal.com/podlad/20min-intro00:00 - Monday fear is optional, I'm proof01:12 - Introduction to Bren Russell from http://podlad.com02:30 - Leaving the 'safest job in Ireland' on a gut feeling (and with a 1 week old baby)07:45 - Understanding intuition, inner wisdom or gut feelings10:39 - Why do so many get stuck in a job they hate?13:57 - What would you do if you won the lottery? (and what the answer reveals)16:25 - How to make the brave choice when your mind finds excuses24:20 - Nothing comes easy but knowing that will make things happen30:28 - Why you should embrace changing your mind!37:15 - There's no silver bullet, the only option is action39:40 - How patterns of the stock market mirror patterns of personal growth43:33 - Following life's unwritten rules is guaranteed to make you unhappy48:27 - Advice for kids: If you do your best, that's enough51:00 - Advice for people who feel stuck in a job53:45 - Real life example: How Bilos's daughter took action and saw results she never expected1:00:023 - I LOVE Mondays: Bren's bumper sticker for life1:04:20 - Contact Bren if you want help podcasting or freelancing1:09:29 - Final Thought: Speak your desire out loud!Learn more about Bren and the professional podcast production services he offers:http://www.podlad.com

What if everything you’ve been taught about happiness was a lie designed to keep you small, scared, and spending?In this episode, inventor, humanitarian, and radical truth-teller BE Alink challenges us to stop buying into the myths that have shaped our lives — myths that tell us who we should be, what we should buy, and what success looks like. Through a life-altering experience in Afghanistan and years of global service, BE discovered a simple but powerful truth: you can see more with your eyes closed.This is a conversation about the courage to question everything — including your own identity. It's about closing your eyes to the noise so you can tune into the voice that never stopped speaking: your own.If you’ve ever felt like there must be more than the hustle, the roles, and the endless pursuit of happiness — this episode will shake the dust off your soul and show you where to begin.🔥 Topics We Explore:Why we've been conditioned to be unhappy (and why it’s profitable)The radical power of closing your eyes to access inner wisdomWhat BE learned about true happiness from a blind woman in AfghanistanHow to stop feeding systems that are quietly killing your joyWhy language can trap us — and freedom lives beyond identity labelsThe unexpected role of creativity in personal and societal healingWhy choosing kindness is the most rebellious act in a consumerist world💭 Reflective Prompt:What if you could unplug from the noise and rewrite your own story — one rooted in kindness, congruence, and love? What might change?🧪 How You Can Experiment:Next time you’re brushing your teeth, close your eyes. Then open them and look in the mirror. Ask yourself one question: “Do I like who I am?” If the answer’s no — good. That’s your place to start. Awareness is a practice, not a moment. Begin again.🧠 Quote to Remember:“Happiness is a choice. And once you truly choose it, you become the ultimate rebel.” – BE Alink🔗 Connect with BE:Explore BE’s work, her book Inventing BE, the Alinker, and more:https://www.bealink.worldhttps://www.thealinker.comProduced in partnership with http://www.podlad.com

If the future is fluid, why are we still so bad at choosing for ourselves?Jillian Reilly joins us to unpack one of the most overlooked skills of modern life: the ability to choose. From everyday indecision (like answering "whatever you want for dinner”) to life-altering passivity, Jillian reveals how many of us have lost touch with our inner compass—and how to find it again.You’ll discover why today’s chaotic world actually demands more self-direction, not less — and how building your “choice muscle” in small, low-risk ways can open you up to a braver, more aligned life.If you’ve ever felt stuck in “default mode” or unsure of how to convey what you really want, this conversation offers a practical, soul-led path forward.💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why modern adults are overwhelmed by freedom—but still afraid to chooseHow passive language like “whatever you want” reveals a deeper disconnectThe role of experiments in strengthening your intuition and decision-makingHow to separate desire from conditioning—and why it’s essential for the futureThe true cost of outsourcing your choices (and how to stop)🔁 Suggested Experiment:Challenge yourself to build your choice muscle.Next time someone asks, “What do you want?” — don’t say “Whatever you want.”Pause.Check in with yourself.Answer.No back-and-forth. No pleasing.This simple practice gets you used to listening to your own desires — and over time, it rewires your nervous system to feel safe choosing for you.🔗 Learn more:Jillian’s book — The Ten Permissions: https://www.amazon.com/Ten-Permissions-Redefining-Adulting-Century/dp/1963827295Jillian’s work: http://www.jillianreilly.com🎧 Produced in partnership with http://www.podlad.com

What if you didn’t need a purpose or a why for anything you do? Al and Bilos explore the radical idea that meaning, logic, and strategy may actually get in the way of living a brilliant life.They challenge the obsession with finding your “why” and offer an alternative: trust what moves you — even if it makes no sense. Because some of the most aligned actions come from the quietest nudges, not loud declarations.You’ll hear how the pressure to justify or explain can block your deepest instincts, and why letting go of the need to know might be the most spiritually powerful move you can make.💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why having no “why” can lead to more powerful and aligned actionHow logic and purpose can subtly trap us in inaction or egoThe difference between acting from intuition versus acting from identityWhy trying to make sense of your desire can dilute its powerHow to create momentum without needing clarity firstTRY THIS:Let yourself take one action this week with no clear reason — just because it feels rightNotice how often you explain your decisions — and experiment with letting them be unexplainedWhen faced with uncertainty, ask: What if I didn’t need to know — and just did it anyway?Produced in partnership with http://www.podlad.com