Advertise on podcast: Awakened Nation

What if you lost both your parents, then lost your marriage, only to discover he was an alcoholic with a secret second life...then your son dies of Fentanyl? Dana Killion joins us on Awakened Nation to share the synchronicities along the way, her intuition of self talk that led to her realizing she had a system for getting through trauma, while healing the heart. This is an outstanding story of survival as Dana turns breakdowns into breakthroughs. ABOUT DANA KILLION: Dana Killion is an author, speaker, and trauma-informed guide who writes about what happens after the worst moments of our lives—and how we chose who we become next. Growing up in Wisconsin, she developed a curiosity for the world beyond the confines of small-town life. Her thirst for more exhilarating pastures led to a career in the apparel industry, and eventually, to her love of story. First with fiction, then with memoir, before a series of profound personal traumas shifted her life again. She broke free of a marriage to an alcoholic, learned of his devastating secret life, lost both parents, and her oldest son to fentanyl. Using each of these difficult experiences, she developed a process that transformed her from broken to unbreakable. Dana currently resides in Chicago and Tucson, Arizona with her kitty, Isabel, happily avoiding snow and strengthening her heart. HOST OF AWAKENED NATION: Brad Szollose.

How can leaders build stability in a world that is operating on 24/7 disruption? Author of Neuro-Resilient Leader, Angus Nelson joins Brad to share his journey from burnout to breakthroughs. Angus points out that today's leaders are using outdated strategies and tactics more suited to a workforce from 50 years ago, and unsustainable in today's business climate. This is a powerful interview as Angus dares us to be better leaders. ABOUT ANGUS NELSON: We’re entering a period where leaders face more information, speed, and uncertainty than any generation before them. AI is accelerating decisions. Markets are volatile. Expectations are relentless. But most leaders are still operating with an internal operating system built for a slower world. Neuro Resilient Leader explores how leaders can upgrade that system — so they can lead with clarity instead of reacting from pressure. Angus Nelson is the author of Neuro Resilient Leader and founder of Evolve Leadership. He helps entrepreneurs and high-performing leaders install Leadership Stability — the ability to make clear, high-stakes decisions without burnout by recalibrating the nervous system.He has advised executives at Cisco, FedEx, and Workday and shares his C³ Protocol — Clarity, Capacity, and Composure — with leaders navigating pressure, uncertainty, and rapid change. HOST OF AWAKENED NATION: Brad Szollose

Martha Byrne seemed to have it all: steady work on the soap opera As The World Turns, several Emmy Awards, three beautiful children from her husband, NYPD sergeant Michael McMahon. Then all hell broke lose. While retired and now a private investigator, her husband Michael was asked to work on a case out of China. A simple review and investigation to confirm a few things. Just paperwork, a few interviews and some phone calls. Easy. Suddenly the FBI is knocking on their door and Michael is thrust into a penitentiary for a crime that he didn't commit. Martha fought to get her husband out and prove his innocence. Her battle is laid bare in her book, "In The Interest Of Justice." This episode will make you question who is really running our country, the incompetence of the prosecution and the defense, and how an innocent man could be put through hell. ABOUT MARTHA BYRNE: Emmy winning actress Martha Byrne is blessed with a successful and lengthy career on legendary daytime soap operas, i.e... As the World Turns and General Hospital and being married to her true love, NYPD sergeant Michael McMahon, for over 30 years. Everything in their lives changed when the Biden DOJ waged an attack on her family weaponizing the law against him, a highly decorated, retired NYPD detective, for committing no crime and given no fair due process. Michael was sentenced to 18 months in a federal penitentiary but Martha began a battle to save her husband. Her story needs to be shared as another example beyond January 6 of the previous administration’s lawfare, corruption, incompetence and contempt for the law. The story is revealed in her book “In the Interest of Justice" (Post Hill Press), now available on Amazon. HOST OF AWAKENED NATION: Brad Szollose

What makes one company stand heads and tails above the rest? Customer Service. Customer Service Expert Shep Hyken shares with Brad what he learned from his first business, his father's advice, and some of the best examples of customer service in the industry. You'll discover why Shep is called The Chief Amazement Officer. This is a fun episode. ABOUT SHEP HYKEN: Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, award-winning keynote speaker, researcher, and New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. He has been quoted in hundreds of publications and is the author of eight books, including his most recent, I’ll Be Back: How to Get Customers to Come Back Again and Again. Shep works with companies and organizations that want to build loyal relationships with their customers and employees. Website: https://hyken.com/ HOST OF AWAKENED NATION: Brad Szollose

As they say, "Life teaches you best..." and Leza Danly brings her lessons. Raised by a show business mother who expected perfection both physically and emotionally, Leza takes us through the painful lessons of pleasing her mother, the eventual breakdown that awakened her to her true mission, and the path to her extraordinary one woman show. This is a powerful episode of childhood trauma, awakening and redemption, along with "I love to cry" moments...as the breadcrumbs of life lead you back to your Soul's Mission. ABOUT LEZA DANLY: Leza Danly is a life coach, speaker, essayist and playwright with over forty years’ experience leading people to personal awakening and transformation. She is the founder and co-director of Lucid Living, offering in-depth workshops and recorded audio programs to help you discover and live the Great Story your soul came to tell. Leza is passionate about the everyday magic of awakening and celebrating stories that reveal the sacred. At the age of 70, she brought her one-woman show, Soul Breadcrumbs, to sold-out performances at the Bainbridge Performing Arts Center, the fulfillment of a thirty-year dream. She lives on Bainbridge Island with her husband Frank. HOST OF AWAKENED NATION: Brad Szollose

Have you ever wondered who comes up with naming and marketing your favorite products? Behind that chocolaty goodness that makes you want to buy is Bryan Mattimore. Bryan and Brad have been friends for decades (and even longer without knowing it)! Bryan shares his ideation magic, what makes a product sell, how to push for innovation, and his latest book, Trump's Playbook: His 50 Brand and Influence Strategies and How To Use Them Ethically! This is not a TDS book...this is an analysis of how one man could take over the psyche of a country. A fun episode. ABOUT BRYAN MATTIMORE: Mr. Mattimore is Cofounder and “Chief Idea Guy” of the Growth Engine Company, a twenty-year old innovation agency based in Westport, Connecticut. Bryan is one of America's top experts in applied creativity, ideation facilitation and innovation management. Prior to cofounding Growth Engine, he was president of the Mattimore Group, a fifteen-year-old ideation facilitation and creativity consulting company. In his business consulting career, Mr. Mattimore has facilitated over a thousand brainstorming sessions, moderated over five hundred creative focus groups and consumer ethnographies, and managed over two hundred successful innovation projects, leading to over $3 billion in new sales annually for a wide variety of Fortune 500 clients. He speaks frequently to organizations and associations on innovation processes best practices. He has addressed or co-chaired conferences for the Industrial Research Institute (IRI), Product Development & Management Association (PDMA), American Marketing Association (AMA), Association of Talent Development (ATD), Vistage, Young President’s Organization (YPO), and the World Innovation Forum. He is also an instructor for Caltech in their Executive Education program. Mr. Mattimore has authored dozens of published articles and webinars, and three books on business creativity and innovation process: 21 Days to a Big Idea, Creating Breakthrough Business Concepts, Idea Stormers, How to Lead and Inspire Creative Breakthroughs, and 99% Inspiration, A Real World Guide to Business Creativity, selected as the American Management Association’s membership offering/book of the year. A cum laude graduate of Dartmouth College, with a major in psychology, Mr. Mattimore is also the inventor of the creativity training game, Bright Ideas. Website: https://growth-engine.com/ Contact: [email protected] HOST OF AWAKENED NATION™: Brad Szollose.

Ken Rochon figured out a business secret: getting people to smile for the camera created connections he couldn't have predicted. Those connections always led to higher caliber people. But it wasn't all a bed of roses. Ken was livin' the dream as a DJ, when his mother got sick. Her resiliency, and positivity inspired Ken to grow up, and build a legacy of meaning. Ken and Brad share a decade+ long friendship with stories, and another person who inspires Ken every single day: his son Kenny Junior who has written 6 books already, and challenged Ken to write more...including My First 60 Years, a memoir on all that he has learned so far. This is a warm and heartfelt episode on Awakened Nation™. Website: https://thesmilechannel.com/ ABOUT KEN ROCHON: Ken is a renaissance man, humanitarian, and an accomplished serial entrepreneur, established his successes with The Umbrella Syndicate, Perfect Publishing, & Absolute Entertainment. He is a Social Proof Celebrity Event Photographer, International Keynote Speaker, and Published Author of 26+ books and the Co-Founder of the non-profit organization “The Keep Smiling Movement,” a radio host on Voice America Influencer Channel, and has been honored as “America’s Most Influential Business Connector” and “Entrepreneur of the Year.” He has published over 110 books of leaders. The movement shares these books with everyone needing a 'DOSE of HOPE.' Ken’s focus is supporting and promoting great leaders, authors, and speakers. He helps businesses grow using “Amplification” strategies in their event and product campaigns. His company gets over 100,000 clicks and engagements a week, making it one of the most active social media pages. He has exceeded one thousand (1000) 5-star reviews making him one of the most recommended businesses worldwide. He loves the arts and sciences, and he has traveled to over 100 countries. His favorite place to be is with his son Kenny a.k.a. ‘K3’, the light of his life. Ken, who lost his mother to Alzheimer’s, desires to live a life of purpose where he leaves a legacy of love for his son to model. HOST OF AWAKENED NATION™: Brad Szollose

What does it take to be one of the best interviewers in sports? Tenacity and authenticity. Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and game changing keynote speaker, Joel Goldberg, opens up to Brad Szollose about his career, sending out tapes back in the day, and eventually becoming the reporter for The Kansas City Royals. This is a fantastic episode with one of sports announcing greats...and Joel shares how he became friends with a legend in baseball by speaking candidly when the cameras were off. ABOUT JOEL GOLDBERG: Joel Goldberg broke into the sports broadcasting scene by knocking on the doors of television stations, cold calling broadcast executives and sending out resume tapes in the 1990s. His career was never handed to him. Rather, it was the product of building connections and dedication, mixed with years of hard work. Joel has worked in four markets during a 30 year career, covering two World Series Championship teams and thousands of baseball games, not to mention multiple Super Bowls, NHL playoffs and NCAA March Madness basketball games. Joel has had the pleasure of interviewing countless athletes, Hall of Famers and celebrities while traveling the world, telling stories from famous stars to under-the-radar role players. His longtime job covering the Kansas City Royals as a host and reporter since 2008 is a privilege, enabling him to entertain, inform and connect fans to athletes. Through his years of storytelling and watching championship organizations succeed (and fail), he realized his access to methods executives use to build culture and championship teams translated to the corporate world. He began a motivational speaking business in 2017. He is the host of the podcast Rounding the Bases with Joel Goldberg and the author of the books Small Ball Big Results and Small Ball Big Dreams. Website: JoelGoldbergMedia.com HOST OF AWAKENED NATION™: Brad Szollose.

Every goal you pursue has two hidden numbers attached to it—a probability of success and failure. Kyle Austin Young joins Brad for a fascinating discussion on why most people fail, why some should just keep going, and his latest book, SUCCESS IS A NUMBERS GAME. Kyle breaks down the first story in his book of a couple with excellent jobs, and yet only one will be successful in the long run. Whether you are trying to start a business or run a marathon, these two percentages are always lurking in the shadows, predicting what will happen. ABOUT KYLE AUSTIN YOUNG: Kyle Austin Young is an award-winning strategy consultant for high achievers, entrepreneurs, and leaders in a wide range of fields. This work has allowed him to develop and refine a powerful system for accomplishing big, meaningful goals that focuses on understanding and changing your odds of success. Kyle is a popular writer for Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, The Boston Globe, CNBC, Psychology Today, Forbes, and Business Insider. When he's not writing, consulting, or spending time with family, you'll usually find him fishing. HOST OF AWAKENED NATION™: Brad Szollose.

Dr. Lise Deguire returns to Awakened Nation™ to share her massive success since the debut of her first book Flashback Girl: Lessons on Resilience from a Burn Survivor. From the awards and the media appearances, to her TEDx Talk, Scarred, But Not Scary, and now, writing for various platforms and collegiate textbooks, Lise opens up about the meteoric rise of her story...and the lessons learned in a world that turns scarred individuals into the main villain in every movie. This is wonderful episode from a gentle soul who reminds us that beauty starts within. ABOUT DR. LISE DEGUIRE: Dr. Lise Deguire is a psychologist, author, and burn survivor. After being severely burned as a four-year-old, she spent years in the hospital undergoing multiple reconstructive surgeries.  She was raised by outrageously flawed, gifted, and iconoclastic parents. Dr. Deguire tells the story of surviving the fire and her parents in the multiple award-winning memoir Flashback Girl: Lessons on Resilience from a Burn Survivor. Dr. Deguire graduated from Tufts University, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Widener University. Dr. Deguire is a TEDx speaker, and has appeared on NPR, NBC, ABC, and FOX. She has presented for the American Psychological Association, the World Burn Congress, the Security and Exchange Commission, and the American Burn Association. She is a blogger for Psychology Today, and has been featured in Huffington Post, The Psychotherapy Networker, Thrive Global, and  Tiny Buddha. You can follow Dr. Deguire on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, as well as her resilience blog. Dr. Deguire lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Website: https://www.lisedeguire.com/ HOST OF AWAKENED NATION™: Brad Szollose

How do you go from Meeting Planner, to on air TV Personality, to Trauma Release Specialist? Jodi Parker shares her outstanding journey as she attempted to heal her son, emboldened to help other mothers, to learning an incredible healing modality that activates your body's own healing mechanisms...and she may mention her mild obsession with The Sound Of Music. This isn't just about trauma release, Jodi also shares some of the new devices that can enhance your telomeres. There is no more science fiction. Website: ⁠https://www.higherlivingjourney.com/⁠ ABOUT JODI PARKER: Combining her education in psychology with an emphasis in neurology and childhood development, and vast life experiences, Jodi Parker engages her wisdom and knowledge to assist you on your healing journey. In 2004, When her oldest child went into early liver failure as an infant, Jodi became an expert on detoxing and pure living in order to save her son's life. Emboldened by her new found wholistic knowledge, she began assisting other mothers in their quest to heal children outside of conventional approaches. Jodi has worked with children of all ages and backgrounds, including those with emotional and behavioral challenges. As her career path shifted, Jodi became an International Event Coordinator, planning events in 30 States, 4 Provinces in Canada, and Sweden and Germany for the international student organization "Up with People." Upon returning home she became a television news segment producer in her home town of Denver, Colorado. Her passion for health led her to become one of the original founding council members of the Million Mom Movement from 2016 to 2022. There she empowered caregivers to engage in healthy living and health activism. She has been actively involved in the Medical Freedom Community since 2015. Jodi's theory of healing is that you must heal at an energetic, emotional, and physical level in order to find full balance in life. Starting in 1998 she began her journey into esoteric and metaphysical pursuits. She began her holistic healing studies in 2001.  In her quest to become a wellness expert she has studied Peak States Sub-cellular and Developmental Psychobiology, all aspects of Holistic/Alternative Health modalities, Shamanic & Quantum Energetic Healing, and meditation and breath work. On her unconventional journey, Jodi became certified in Black Hat Feng Shui, she is a Certified Darmaja Master, and she is a Certified Shaman.  In 2024 she began studying sub-cellular psychobiology and integrating trauma release therapy into her repertoire, finding that to be the most efficient and effective healing modality yet. She combines all these energetic healing modalities into what she calls "Quantum Vibrational Healing." Choosing the right tools for each client, she assists you in removing the physical, emotional, and energetic blockages that hinder optimal health. She strives to constantly learn new and better ways to help people live their "Higher Living Journey." Currently Jodi is harnessing her broad skill set to empower individuals and families to take their potential to the next level. Combining ⁠high quality products⁠ and ⁠advanced healing modalities⁠, Jodi strives to connect you not only to yourself and your loved ones, but to the knowledge and community needed to carry humanity to their evolutionary potential. THE HOST OF AWAKENED NATION™: Brad Szollose

How do you become one of the top business consultants in the United States with a track record to prove it? The answer is a road less traveled. Jeremy shares his journey through psychology, business acumen, and traveling to the Amazon Rain Forest to participate in an Ayahuasca ceremony and even partaking of Psilocybin, in order to unlock human potential. A fascinating discussion on the fusion of business, psychology, hallucinogenic and mysticism. It's not what you think. Jeremy is results driven, yet takes the time to figure it all out. ABOUT JEREMY REEVES: Jeremy Reeves is the CEO and founder of Scale Advisors. He specializes in igniting business hyper-growth with a proprietary yet predictable, step-by-step process that works for any business in any industry. It's a unique method that combines world-class copy + innovative marketing strategy + financial levers, and has resulted in over $200M in sales for his clients and his own businesses since 2009. Jeremy is a fan of human growth potential and does his own personal research into unlocking what holds people back in their personal and professional life. He lives in Virginia Beach with his wife Katie and three growing sons. Website: https://scaleadvisors.com/ HOST OF AWAKENED NATION: Brad Szollose.

Jon Lovgren shares his journey of awakening. From getting clean and sober, to discovering the forgiveness techniques of ho'oponopono, Jon's path is that of self love, the tenacity to be yourself, and the healing journey we all must face someday. This is a fascinating discussion into the esoteric. ABOUT JON LOVGREN: Jon Lovgren has been studying religious texts, Kabbalah, metaphysics, quantum physics, psychology, and philosophy for over 40 years culminating in the ancient Hawaiian practice of ho'oponopono. Jon has been researching and practicing ho'oponopono for over 12 years. Jon moved to Hawai'i in 2012, the birthplace of ho'oponopono, to gain a deeper understanding of its origin and how to practice it at deeper levels. This process brings us into full self-empowerment and self-actualization through self-forgiveness. Jon weaves quantum physics, metaphysics, religion, neuroscience, and simple common sense into a blanket of easy-to-understand tools that make it simple to practice complex principles, guiding us to the evolution of the person we are meant to be. Jon provides private one-on-one, couples and family sessions as well as facilitating numerous events ranging from 2-hour Talk Story to 7-day intensive workshops. Website: www.getpono.com HOST OF AWAKENED NATION™: Brad Szollose.

What if your dream was to climb Mount Everest? At 50, Werner Berger decided that is exactly what he would do with his life. And from that moment on, Werner climbed 7 peaks on 7 continents including Mount Everest, Mount McKinley, Mount Elbrus, Mount Kilimanjaro and Vinson Massif in Antarctica. This is a heartwarming episode as Werner shares his journey of climbing 7 peaks, his friends and family thinking he was crazy, forming Global Ascent with his wife, Heshie Segal, who handles the inner work and mindset of the guest climbers, as they prepare to lead a 90-person ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro at age 90 in July 2027!!! Werner has a contagious joy that you'll see in this interview. ABOUT WERNER BERGER: Werner Berger is a Guinness World Record–holding mountaineer, international speaker, best-selling author, and corporate leadership consultant. As co-creator of The Global Ascent and author of Unstoppable from Within, and Greed vs. Integrity, he inspires people to conquer inner and outer summits alike. Having climbed the world’s highest peaks in his 70s and now preparing for Mt. Kilimanjaro at 90, Werner embodies ageless vitality and authentic leadership. His life’s mission is to help humanity awaken to its innate brilliance, courage, and capacity to lead with purpose - reminding us that true ascent begins within. HOST OF AWAKENED NATION™: Brad Szollose

How do you come back from a cancer diagnosis...TWICE???!!! Savio Clemente tells the story of reconnecting with his body, his family and his roots, in order to bring himself back into balance. How does one stay calm in the middle of a crisis? Ask Savio. This isn't armchair advice, but lived experience. About Savio P Clemente:Post Crisis Leadership Gap:Savio works with healthcare organizations and leadership teams navigating the period after disruption, when urgency fades but expectations stay high. He helps leaders reduce decision fatigue, regain clarity, and align teams in environments where small mistakes carry real consequences. Savio’s perspective comes from both research and lived experience. After over 2,000 interviews with leaders and rebuilding his own life after cancer twice, he brings a practical understanding of what it takes to think clearly and lead well under pressure. Savio shares the frameworks and stories that help leaders stay sharp, make better decisions, and turn pressure into performance. HOST OF AWAKENED NATION: Brad Szollose