Magic in the Moment: Mindfulness In Real Time

What if the key to lasting change isn't pushing harder... but paying closer attention?In this episode of Magic in the Moment, host Clayton Platt sits down with Dr. Vera Ludwig, psychologist and neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania's Positive Psychology Center, to explore a revolutionary approach to self-regulation. Forget exhausting willpower battles, Vera's research reveals how simple awareness can automatically rewire your brain and transform your habits.In this conversation, you'll discover:✨ Why traditional willpower often backfires (and what to do instead) ✨ The "island revelation" that changed Vera's entire approach to productivity ✨ How mindfulness creates effortless behavior change through awareness alone ✨ The neuroscience behind flow states and authentic alignment ✨ Practical strategies for breaking compulsive patterns without shame or force ✨ Why working with your natural rhythms beats forcing yourself through the day.From burnout to breakthrough, Vera shares her personal journey from PhD researcher grinding through willpower studies to discovering a completely different way of living... one where energy comes naturally when you're aligned with what's true to you.1:52 - Welcome & Introducing Dr. Vera Ludwig2:19 - How Awareness Rewires Habits Without Willpower3:16 - Vera's Journey: From PhD Burnout to Island Flow5:52 - The Island Revelation: Discovering Effortless Productivity7:28 - When Pushing Yourself Stops Working9:35 - The Mindfulness-Willpower Connection12:15 - Listening to Your Body's Messages17:07 - Breaking Cookie Cravings: A Real-Life Example20:17 - Clayton's Dessert Compulsion Story24:27 - Working With Your Natural Rhythms (Not Against Them)26:17 - Remote Work & Honoring Your Energy Cycles33:29 - The "Just Like Me" Meditation Study38:06 - Heart Rate Synchrony & Human Connection42:24 - Sexuality, Wellbeing & Breaking Taboos47:45 - Mindful Awareness in Sexual Behaviors54:25 - Great Sex vs. Good Sex: The Role of Presence58:18 - Mindful Eating & Sexual Desire: The Parallel62:35 - Where to Learn More & Connect With Vera

Ready to break through burnout, self-doubt, and overwhelm? Join host Clayton Platt as he sits down with the inspiring Candice Van Dertholen... holistic practitioner, embodiment coach, and the ultimate guide for anyone craving more presence and purpose.In This Episode:Candice’s raw journey from struggle to self-mastery—and how you can do it tooReal talk on imposter syndrome, healing, and why “self-love” is more than a hashtagMindfulness hacks for busy brains: from 90-second resets to walking meditationsHow to build true confidence, trust your intuition, and create a life (and business) that feels alignedThe power of community, mentorship, and saying YES to your own growthDon’t Miss: Candice’s upcoming cohort and retreat... your chance to connect, grow, and transform with a supportive tribe.

In this year-end special, Clayton Platt reflects on the conversations that defined the heart of Magic in the Moment. These moments didn’t come from theory or perfection — they came from real people, in real roles, choosing presence in real time.This episode revisits powerful insights from several recent guests, each offering a distinct doorway into what mindfulness looks like when it’s lived.David Hubbard — Choosing Presence & “Unreasonable Joy”David shares a striking realization: he achieved his goals but wasn’t fully present for much of his early life. His awakening wasn’t about regret — it was about choosing to be here for his own moments.He introduces the idea of being “unreasonably joyful” and asks a simple but profound question: What are we adding to the shared air we all breathe?👉 Listen to David Hubbard’s full episode for a deeper dive into presence, joy, and his CLAW philosophy (Compassion, Love, Awareness, Wisdom).Fred Wasiak — Mindfulness, Service & Seeing AbundanceFrom the world of food insecurity and service, Fred offers a grounded perspective on mindfulness in action. Presence, he reminds us, isn’t just inner calm — it’s the ability to see dignity, connection, and possibility even in places defined by scarcity.👉 Hear Fred Wasiak’s full episode to explore how mindfulness strengthens leadership, service, and human connection.Timothy Mathews — Kindness as a Courageous PracticeTimothy reframes kindness as something active and intentional — not politeness, not niceness, but a mindful choice that requires awareness and courage, especially in a world that often rewards the opposite.👉 Listen to Timothy Mathews’ full episode for a powerful exploration of kindness as a daily mindfulness practice.Bill Warnick — Relaxed Effort, Leadership & BreathBill connects leadership, mindfulness, and drumming through the idea of relaxed power — the insight that forcing harder often slows us down. Growth, performance, and presence improve when we relax into the moment.He also shares a simple, practical tool: box breathing, a four-part breath practice used before difficult conversations and high-stakes moments.👉 Listen to Bill Warnick’s full episode to rethink effort, leadership, and how breath can change how you show up.Across these conversations, a common thread emerges: mindfulness isn’t separate from life. It shows up in boardrooms and food banks, in leadership decisions and small acts of kindness, in breath, attention, and choice.This is mindfulness in real time — imperfect, human, and available right now.

Join host Clayton Platt and guest Bill Warnick as they dive into a lively chat about leadership, patience, and humility. They also share their personal passions for music and breathing practices, offering a fresh perspective on how these interests shape their professional lives.TakeawaysLeadership is all about patience and humility.Music is a personal passion that really hits home emotionally.Breathing practices? They're great for focus and staying calm.Bill emphasizes the need for uninterrupted practice to hone skills.Humility is key in both personal and professional growth.Patience might be rare, but it's crucial for success.Personal interests can spark professional insights.Music plays a big role in emotional and mental well-being.Breathing techniques are a handy tool for stress management.There's a strong link between personal practices and leadership skills.Chapters00:00:01 Introduction and Welcome00:01:27 Leadership and Personal Interests00:03:48 The Role of Music00:08:29 Breathing Practices00:24:27 Patience and Humility00:29:32 Conclusion and Reflections

In this episode, Clayton Platt and W. David Hubbard explore the profound impact of mindfulness and meditation on personal and professional life. They discuss the journey of integrating mindfulness into daily routines, the challenges of maintaining presence in a fast-paced world, and the transformative power of choosing joy and gratitude. The conversation also delves into the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, and how mindfulness can foster a more compassionate and connected community.TakeawaysMindfulness is a lifelong journey of self-exploration.Meditation helps in becoming the best version of oneself.Choosing joy and gratitude can transform daily experiences.Mindfulness fosters better emotional control and patience.Diversity and inclusion are crucial for a thriving workplace.Mindfulness can enhance leadership and organizational culture.Being present allows for deeper connections with others.Curiosity and compassion are key to bridging divides.Mindfulness is about responding, not reacting.The practice of mindfulness can lead to personal and professional growth.Chapters00:00:00 Introduction to Mindfulness00:03:00 David's Journey with Meditation00:09:00 Mindfulness in Professional Life00:15:00 Choosing Joy and Gratitude00:21:00 Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace00:27:00 The Power of Presence00:33:00 Mindfulness and Community Connection

In this heartfelt episode of Mindfulness in Real Time, Clayton Platt sits down with Timothy Mathews — instructional designer, care minister, and creator of The Kindness Challenge. Timothy shares the powerful story of his mother’s simple but life-changing question: “Have you eaten?” and how it shaped his understanding of presence, compassion, and mindful living.Together, Clayton and Timothy explore:How everyday actions become mindful practicesWhy kindness requires courageThe beauty of generational compassionThe connection between awareness, empathy, and emotional attunementHow mindfulness shows up in unexpected places—including fitness, color meditation, and griefThis episode offers a grounded, deeply human look at how kindness can anchor us in the present moment and connect us more deeply to others.Sponsored by Meditation4Leadership, check them out at www.meditation4leadership.orgHosted by Clayton PlattFeaturing Elizabeth McKenzieEdited by Marianne SandersWith thanks from Salt Peak Studios, www.saltpeakstudios.com

In this episode of Mindfulness in Real Time, host Clayton Platt sits down with researcher Elizabeth MacKenzie to explore the deeper dimensions of mindfulness—far beyond relaxation or stress management. Together they discuss how mindfulness, when integrated into higher education, can reshape not only how students cope with pressure but also how they cultivate awareness, ethical reflection, and purpose.Liz shares insights from her groundbreaking 2020 and 2025 studies on embedding mindfulness into academic curricula, showing how short but consistent practices can plant seeds that grow into lifelong self-awareness, compassion, and meaningful learning. They also touch on the tension between return-on-investment education and inner growth—and how awareness itself may be humanity’s greatest asset in an age of artificial intelligence.Sponsored by Meditation4Leadership, check them out at www.meditation4leadership.orgHosted by Clayton PlattFeaturing Elizabeth McKenzieEdited by Marianne SandersWith thanks from Salt Peak Studios, www.saltpeakstudios.com

In this episode of Mindfulness in Real Time, host Clayton Platt sits down with Kaihan Krippendorff — author, strategist, and founder of Outthinker — for an illuminating conversation about identity, mindfulness, and creativity in business and life.Kaihan shares personal reflections on watching his son discover his passions, and how that mirrors the journey organizations take in finding their true identity. Together, they explore how awareness, curiosity, and emotional presence influence innovation — from “mental time travel” and visualization, to redefining who we are as individuals and companies.With insight drawn from both Eastern philosophy and modern strategy, this discussion invites listeners to slow down, question their default narratives, and discover the mindful side of business transformation.Sponsored by Meditation4Leadership, check them out at www.meditation4leadership.orgHosted by Clayton PlattFeaturing Kaihan KrippendorffEdited by Marianne SandersWith thanks from Salt Peak Studios, www.saltpeakstudios.com

In this episode of Mindfulness in Real Time, Clayton sits down with Fred C. Wasiak—longtime nonprofit leader, Food Bank of South Jersey President/CEO, Humanics Consulting founder, and creator of “Outdoors with Papa.” Fred shares how nature became his mindfulness dojo (hello, forest bathing), why he starts meetings with “three breaths to arrive,” and how modeling presence—rather than mandating it—transformed culture during crisis. You’ll hear practical ways to bring a beginner’s mind to familiar paths (at work and on the trail), simple sensory practices you can use today, and how servant leadership ripples through teams until the “lone nut” becomes a movement. We also explore self-care for front-line staff and the role of Meditation4Leadership in sustaining mindful organizations. Tune in for gentle, actionable wisdom you can apply before the episode ends.Sponsored by Meditation4Leadership, check them out at www.meditation4leadership.orgHosted by Clayton PlattFeaturing Fred WasiakEdited by Marianne SandersWith thanks from Salt Peak Studios, www.saltpeakstudios.com

In this episode of Mindfulness in Real Time, Clayton Platt sits down with Todd Harrity, three-time U.S. National Squash Champion and Pan Am Games gold medalist. Todd opens up about the role mindfulness has played throughout his professional career—from learning to quiet performance anxiety on the Pro Tour, to embracing authenticity and coming out publicly, to finding balance as he transitions beyond life on the court. Together they explore how staying grounded in the present can transform pressure into growth, competition into discovery, and sport into a path of self-expression and gratitude.Sponsored by Meditation4Leadership, check them out at www.meditation4leadership.orgHosted by Clayton PlattFeaturing Todd HarrityEdited by Marianne SandersWith thanks from Salt Peak Studios, www.saltpeakstudios.com