

Hidden Mentality
Rishi Kurada
Life lessons that aren’t taught in college - whether it’s mastering consistency, building self-confidence, or harnessing the power of routine. Like many students, I often feel like I’m not learning enough about real life and its struggles. So I ask....what should we be learning? I don’t have a clue — that’s why I talk to people who are a lot smarter than I am. Featuring episodes with university professors, ex-military, authors, influencers, and people with PhDs (I heard that means they are pretty smart).Tune in now.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 2, 2025 • 1h 29min
How to Look Confident Even When You're Not - Montana Von Fliss | #18
What if looking confident has nothing to do with actually feeling confident? In this episode, we break down how to look confident—even when you're filled with nerves or self-doubt. You’ll learn why confidence is a skill (not a personality trait), how to stop broadcasting insecurity through your body language, and how repetition can rewire belief. You’ll hear practical strategies for walking into any room with presence, using purposeful movement, and shifting from fear to focus with a simple mental technique. Walk away with tools to carry yourself with clarity, handle pressure with purpose, and show up as your most grounded self—no matter how you feel inside.Montana von Fliss is an executive speech and presentation coach, actor, speaker, facilitator, and founder and CEO of Montana & Co., a full service communication coaching company. Montana and her team of trainers transform presenters into passionate, powerful, and confident speakers. For the past 17 years, Montana has been coaching regularly for companies like Microsoft, GitHub, Amazon, Google—as well as a myriad of start-ups and individuals—on a broad range of communication issues, including content strategy, storytelling, and of course, excellent delivery. Her 30+ years as a professional actor gives her unique insight into how to disrupt the tradition of boring presentations and bring energy, fun, and joy into the room. Her passion is helping people own the stage and find ease, confidence, and a new tool set to tackle the daunting task of public speaking.Montana's Socials:www.montanavonfliss.comhttps://www.instagram.com/montanavonflisshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/montana-von-fliss/Montana's Ted Talk 🎤: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVFzbxmKNUw&t=47sFollow the podcast onSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5sAxaKJBGFCcvWSfBUGGm6?si=3ce7bf76affc4fb8Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-mentality/id1776474114Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/Rishikurada.comIntro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

May 21, 2025 • 1h 7min
How To Stop Overthinking And Find Clarity - Jennifer Diaz | #17
What if the real reason you feel stuck isn’t a lack of motivation—but a misunderstanding of who you really are? In this episode, we explore how fear, overthinking, and outside expectations cloud our self-image—and what it really takes to break free. Why do we cringe at others? How does fear of being “just normal” shape our choices? And how can we actually measure growth in a world that rewards comparison? You’ll learn how to separate your true inner voice from the noise, reframe self-worth, and move forward even when overthinking paralyzes you. We dive deep into how fear can be a compass, not a barrier. You’ll walk away with tools to face what scares you, handle feedback with clarity, and make choices that align with your values—not someone else’s version of success.Jennifer Diaz is a high-performance coach for ambitious entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs ready to lead with confidence, scale with purpose, and live with alignment. Through her signature mindset methods and deep understanding of behavior change, she helps her clients rewire subconscious beliefs, build resilient leadership, and create sustainable success—without sacrificing well-being. Jen’s path to coaching began with a bold leap: leaving a toxic job to pursue a calling she couldn’t ignore. Since then, she’s built a thriving business, hosted international retreats, and helped hundreds of leaders find clarity, confidence, and growth in both business and life. Her work centers on one powerful truth: facing fear isn’t a detour from success—it’s the way through.Jen Socials:https://www.instagram.com/jenmdiaz/?hl=enhttps://www.jenniferdiaz.comhttps://www.facebook.com/jenniferdiazcoachingFollow the podcast on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5sAxaKJBGFCcvWSfBUGGm6?si=3ce7bf76affc4fb8Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-mentality/id1776474114Rishikurada.comReach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

Apr 11, 2025 • 59min
What No One Tells You About Starting a Business - Sam Vander Wielen | #16
Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “Once I start my business, then I’ll be happy”? In this episode, we unpack the myth that entrepreneurship is the ultimate path to fulfillment—and explore why that belief can leave so many young people stuck, burned out, or chasing the wrong things. What if your job isn’t supposed to make you happy? Why do we glorify leaving the 9-5 without understanding what we’re trading? We dive into the tradeoffs of entrepreneurship, the overlooked upsides of a 9-5, and the signs that your job might not be the right fit. You’ll learn the essential skills that matter when starting a business, how to attract customers by creating unique value, and how to use social media as a real tool—not just a distraction. We also talk about how the best ideas often come when you’re not forcing them, and why your purpose might be something bigger than just being your own boss. Starting a business can absolutely be exciting, empowering, and freeing—but only when it's built with intention. If you’re looking for clarity, curiosity, and a more grounded way to think about your next step, this episode is for you.Sam Vander Wielen is an attorney-turned-entrepreneur and leading legal educator to online business owners. Sam’s the founder of Sam Vander Wielen LLC, the go-to contract template shop for online business owners that generates multi-seven-figure revenue annually. As the author of the book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy, and host of the On Your Terms® podcast, she cuts through the noise with no-fluff legal tips, refreshingly honest marketing strategies, and down-to-earth business advice to help entrepreneurs grow with confidence. Since 2017, Sam has helped over 350,000 online entrepreneurs legally protect their online businesses, all while navigating the devastating back-to-back losses of her parents, her own brain surgery, and becoming a caretaker.📖 PRE ORDER THE BOOK: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/book/?srsltid=AfmBOophwYoB7ixh0JgD4nCQZXzUmAnv1dOjnExBMTTEazHBvjpr4TUHSam Socials: instagram.com/samvanderwielen www.youtube.com/@UCRvmhnGVaMbL7Jf3_MgfNiA samvanderwielen.com/shop-templates samvanderwielen.com/podcastReach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

Mar 21, 2025 • 1h 29min
The Blueprint for Your Dream Life and Business - Giovanni Vaccaro | #15
What if the way you’ve been taught to find success is holding you back? In this episode, we explore how to uncover your dream, align it with your purpose, and turn it into a fulfilling reality. What if fulfillment should come before success? How can you build a life that excites you every day? And what does it take to transform passion into a business that feels meaningful? We’ll break down practical steps to discovering what truly drives you, avoiding the trap of chasing someone else’s version of success, and creating a path that blends both fulfilment and achievement. Tune in to learn how to design a life and business that feels as good as it looks.Gio Vaccaro is a performance coach, speaker, and co-founder of Glamsquad. He has dedicated himself to helping creative entrepreneurs overcome limiting beliefs and unlock their full potential. With over 22 years in the beauty industry, he played a pivotal role in transforming beauty services, building a thriving pro-community, and leading Glamsquad to over one million services for top-tier clients like Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Netflix. A former top performer at Fekkai, Gio’s passion for human connection and growth drives his mission to help entrepreneurs optimise their mindset, master peak performance habits, and achieve lasting success.Giovanni Socials:https://www.instagram.com/giovannivaccaro https://www.linkedin.com/in/giovanni-vaccaro-b4137a90 https://www.giovaccaro.com/Episode with Sean Pritchard: https://youtu.be/QyNlUy2gSoUReach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release]Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandonWatch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242chttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

Mar 10, 2025 • 6min
5 Books to Read if You Don't Know How to Follow Your Dream #14
Most people never chase their dreams—not because they lack talent, but because they don’t know what they truly want or where to start. 5 Books in 5 Minutes to help you discover your dream, commit to it, and enjoy the journey along the way.0:00 Intro 0:12 What's Your Dream 1:32 Essentialism 2:21 How to Win Friends And Influence People 3:25 The Alchemist 4:27 Tiny ExperimentsBooks 📖: 1. What's Your Dream | Simon Squibb: https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Your-Dream-Passion-Richer-ebook/dp/B0CY4N9LTK 2. Essentialism | Greg Mckeown: https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137382 3. How to Win Friends And Influence People | Dale Carnegie: https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034 4. The Alchemist | Paulo Coelho: https://www.amazon.com/Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416 5. Tiny Experiments | Anne-Laure Le Cunff: https://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Experiments-Freely-Goal-Obsessed-World/dp/0593715136Episode with Dr. Anne-Laure Le Cunff: https://youtu.be/QQAy2QW9Png Follow the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5sAxaKJBGFCcvWSfBUGGm6?si=3ce7bf76affc4fb8 Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-mentality/id1776474114 Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/

Feb 26, 2025 • 16min
Deep Thoughts That Might Change How You See Life | #13
I've never done a solo episode before. Here are 5 deep life thoughts you may have never considered and could change your perspective on life. Enjoy :D 0:00 No One Deserves Love 3:35 Can Men Share Their Feelings? 6:22 Our Self-Advice Is Horrible 8:52 We Can Be Frauds 11:56 Can Pride And Gratitude Coexist? Follow the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5sAxaKJBGFCcvWSfBUGGm6?si=3ce7bf76affc4fb8 Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-mentality/id1776474114 Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/ Song: Fragments Composer: AERØHEAD Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoZbM1a4PKQ6haa2Ap4TSdg License: Creative Commons (BY-NC 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

Feb 19, 2025 • 1h 11min
How God Can Unlock Your Best Self - Aaron Au | #12
What does it mean to find faith, and how can belief—no matter what form it takes—help us grow? In this episode, we dive into the journey of discovering faith and tackle some big questions: What makes a higher power worth believing in? Can faith actually make us better people? We explore how to stay motivated while trusting a bigger plan, finding the balance between gratitude and pride, and whether belief in an afterlife changes how we live in the moment. Tune in as we break down the doubts, challenges, and rewards of building a personal faith that truly empowers us. Follow the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5sAxaKJBGFCcvWSfBUGGm6?si=3ce7bf76affc4fb8 Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-mentality/id1776474114 Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/ Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

Feb 5, 2025 • 1h 1min
Why Chasing Goals Is Making You Miserable - Dr. Anne-Laure Le Cunff | #11
Do you ever feel like you’re following a script for success that wasn’t written by you? In this episode, we challenge the traditional life scripts that keep us stuck and explore how embracing uncertainty can lead to growth. Why aren’t goal-obsessed people truly free? How does curiosity shape our trajectory? And what happens when we stop searching for purpose and start experimenting instead? We’ll discuss simple ways to test new possibilities, overcome the fear of standing out, and reframe doubt as an opportunity. Tune in to learn how thinking like a scientist can help you break free from limiting beliefs and design a life that evolves with you.Anne-Laure is an award-winning neuroscientist and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Ness Labs, where her weekly newsletter is read by more than 100,000 curious minds. Her research at King’s College London focuses on the psychology and neuroscience of lifelong learning, curiosity, and adaptability. Her upcoming book, Tiny Experiments, is a transformative guide for living a more experimental life, turning uncertainty into curiosity, and carving a path of self-discovery. Previously, she worked at Google as an executive on digital health projects. Her work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Forbes, Financial Times, and WIRED.PRE-ORDER THE BOOK 📖: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/737291/tiny-experiments-by-anne-laure-le-cunff/Dr. Anne-Laure Socials:Instagram: https://instagram.com/@neuranneYouTube: https://youtube.com/@neuranneSubstack: https://substack.com/@neuranneYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@HiddenMentalityPodcastFollow the podcast onSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5sAxaKJBGFCcvWSfBUGGm6?si=3ce7bf76affc4fb8Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-mentality/id1776474114Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

Jan 22, 2025 • 1h 4min
5 Harsh Truths About Loss and Moving On - WillKeepitReal | #10
How do we truly move on from the people and things we’ve outgrown? In this episode, we explore the deeper lessons behind loss, forgiveness, and personal growth. Why do some people fail to see your worth, and how do you know when it’s time to stop fighting for a relationship? We’ll discuss what it means to truly forgive, how to heal unacknowledged pain, and why loneliness shouldn’t pull you back to what no longer serves you. Discover how to commit to letting go, navigate rejection from those who resist your transformation, and understand the hidden reasons people come into your life. Join us for five powerful lessons on moving forward with strength and clarity. Will Diggs, known as "WillKeepItReal," is a motivational social media influencer and online mindset coach. Since October 2022, he has gained over 500,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram, creating content that helps others find inner peace, embrace challenges, and recognize their self-worth. His ultimate goal is to inspire people to become the best version of themselves. Through his coaching and content, Will addresses real-life struggles, helping individuals break free from false realities and take control of their lives to make them what they want them to be. Will Socials: https://www.threads.net/@willkeepitreal1?xmt=AQGz5n4pOftePdV7YzHsboljxSg54DY2pB7j0AdSZjpNNOA https://www.instagram.com/willkeepitreal1 https://willkeepitreal.com https://www.youtube.com/@UCje-KLCcvMOfCgLkOb8z2PQ Follow the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5sAxaKJBGFCcvWSfBUGGm6?si=3ce7bf76affc4fb8 Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-mentality/id1776474114 Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/ Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental

Dec 25, 2024 • 1h 3min
How To Gain Undeniable Trust from Others - Gina Antoniello | #9
What role does trust play in building a fulfilling life? In today’s episode, we explore the meaning of trust and why it’s a cornerstone of self-belief and strong relationships. We’ll discuss how to cultivate self-trust, the importance of finding the right mentor, and the steps to build lasting trust with others. Discover whether trust is earned or given, and learn strategies for gaining undeniable trust from the people who matter most. Join us as we unpack the key principles of trust and its transformative impact on personal growth, mentorship, and meaningful connections. Gina Antoniello is a sports culture expert and advocate for social justice. As the Academic Director at NYU's Tisch Institute for Global Sport, Gina has worked with teams like the Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and XFL’s New York Guardians. With a career focused on communications and building impactful programs, she’s developed strategies that foster trust and belief in both teams and individuals. Gina also teaches courses on athlete activism and the role of sports in shaping society, helping others build confidence in their voices and actions.Gina Antoniello: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/g_antoniello Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-antoniello-9aab143a X: https://x.com/g_antonielloFollow the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5sAxaKJBGFCcvWSfBUGGm6?si=3ce7bf76affc4fb8 Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-mentality/id1776474114Reach Out: https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/onandon Watch: http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4 - Instrumental


