Mind Over Matter

Uncertainty isn’t the enemy—it’s the work. In this Mind Over Matter episode, Oxford-trained philosopher and teacher Stefani Ruper breaks down why our nervous systems crave simple answers, how “closing loops” too fast blocks learning, and what it takes to hold doubt without collapsing. We discuss the safety-drive behind beliefs, updating your “map of reality,” practising humility in relationships, an...

In this episode of Mind Over Matter, we sit down with Russell Van Brocklen, a champion for dyslexic learners and their families. Together, we unpack why so many reading programs stall, the three hidden mistakes that block progress, and how simple nightly routines can transform a child’s “I can’t” into “I just did.” From brain science research at Yale to hands-on strategies tested with students, Russ...

In this episode of Mind Over Matter, we dive deep into the transformative power of endurance sports with performance coach and marathoner Victor Vizcaino. From running 60+ marathons to coaching busy adults into peak health, Victor shares how long-distance running is not just about crossing finish lines—it’s about rewiring the body, sharpening the mind, and awakening the spirit. He opens up about his...

In this powerful episode of Mind Over Matter, Dr. Foojan Zeine, globally recognized psychotherapist, author, and creator of Awareness Integration Theory (AIT), reveals how to dismantle limiting beliefs, heal the inner voice, and achieve wholeness in an overstimulated world. We dive deep into why so many of us live in mental fragmentation, how subconscious narratives hold us back, and how AIT bridges...

In this episode of Mind Over Matter, Dr. Portia Preston—TEDx speaker, public health leader, and author of Hustle, Flow, or Let It Go—shares a blueprint for shame-free wellness. Drawing from her work at the CDC, Deloitte, and her lived experience navigating burnout, ADHD, and depression, Dr. Preston unpacks how hustle culture traps us in cycles of shame and self-comparison. She introduces her SANE Cy...

In this empowering episode of Mind Over Matter, Faith Spencer—author of The Oneness Guide for Today—shares how cultivating a “oneness mindset” can help teens and young women step away from comparison, perfectionism, and pressure to live more authentically. Faith explains how seeing ourselves as interconnected with others, nature, and a greater source can transform mental health, emotional well-being...

 We’ve all heard the phrase, “Time heals all wounds.” But what if that’s not just wrong—it’s keeping you stuck? In this episode of Mind Over Matter, trauma recovery expert and founder of iReAwake, Mridula Agarwal, challenges the comforting myth that waiting is healing. She reveals why many people stay trapped in pain for years, the invisible patterns running your life, and the exact multi-layered ap...

In this episode of Mind Over Matter, we dive deep into the ancient wisdom of the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether—and how they can guide us through grief, change, and personal transformation. Licensed social worker, author of Newleaf, and founder of Restoring Legacy, Tashia Martin shares her journey of loss, resilience, and rediscovery. She reveals how these elemental forces not only exist around us ...

In this powerful episode of Mind Over Matter, we dive into the transformative power of physical connection with empowerment coach and author of Rebel Hugger, Melinda Schmitt. Melinda shares how her year-long journey of hugging strangers became a path to healing, self-love, and radical softness. She opens up about the challenges of post-divorce isolation, the lessons animals and nature have taught her about authenticity, and ...

In this explosive episode of Mind Over Matter, we meet Tommy A. Kilpatrick—a former teacher, farmer, and author—who voluntarily took a vow of poverty to uncover the truth about the financial system. After racking up over $85,000 in credit card debt due to a canceled publishing deal, Tommy refused to play by the banks’ rules. Instead, he took on the system pro se, filing federal lawsuits without legal counsel—not to win in court, bu...

In this episode of Mind Over Matter, we dive into the literary world of 16-year-old author Shanti Hershenson, a Gen Z powerhouse who has written and published over a dozen books by the age of 16. From writing her first novella in 6th grade to handling trolls after going viral on TikTok, Shanti shares how she navigates the publishing world, maintains daily writing rituals, and crafts characters with depth and purpose. This episode i...

In this episode of Mind Over Matter, we sit down with evolutionary astrologer Ada Esquerre to explore how relationships can be powerful catalysts for personal transformation. Ada introduces the concept of the “Love Map,” a tool she created to decode how our astrological charts mirror our deepest patterns in love and connection. Rather than focusing on prediction, Ada shares how astrology can act as a reflective tool, helping us und...

In this powerful episode of Mind Over Matter, we sit down with author and spiritualist Nikki Allen to talk about the raw, unfiltered journey of choosing yourself — especially when it's the hardest thing to do. Nikki opens up about her book Loved You, Hated You and how years of heartbreak, childhood trauma, and toxic patterns led her to a radical act of self-love. From setting boundaries with loved ones to discovering joy through gr...

Can autoimmune diseases be reversed? Is chronic illness really our genetic destiny? In this eye-opening episode of Mind Over Matter, Dr. David Bilstrom, a quadruple board-certified MD and Director of the International Autoimmune Institute, breaks down the bold truth: chronic disease is not inevitable—and it’s reversible.

Dr. Bilstrom explains how traditional healing methods, science-backed epigenetics, and lifestyle changes can hea...

What if the very idea of "matter" is what's keeping us from experiencing divine presence? In this profound episode of Mind Over Matter, former monastic nun and TEDx speaker Kimberly Braun shares how redefining our relationship with the material world can unlock a deeper, more embodied spirituality. Drawing from her new book Miracles in the Naked Light, Kimberly explores how spiritual seekers often unknowingly reinforce separation b...

In this powerful episode of Mind Over Matter, we sit down with Damian Bloss—a man who seemed “fine” on the outside while silently battling the weight of unresolved grief and addiction. For over two decades, Damian numbed his pain through alcohol after losing a loved one to suicide, carrying a secret that shaped his downward spiral. But this is not just a story of addiction—it’s a story of radical self-awareness, healing, and choosi...

In this powerful episode of Mind Over Matter, host Aanya sits down with Angie Hawkins—memoirist, surfer, self-love coach, and fierce boundary-setter—to explore the raw and real journey of rediscovering self-worth after years of silence and shrinking. Angie shares deeply personal stories, including setting the hardest boundary with her own mother, writing her memoir Running in Slippers, and learning the true voice of intuit...

In this episode of Mind Over Matter, Jamie Naegele joins us to discuss how he left behind a successful engineering career to pursue a life of authenticity, joy, and purpose. Jamie unpacks the role of psychology in rebuilding our identity, shares insights on listening to the inner voice over external noise, and explains why self-love is more than just a buzzword. From battling depression and anxiety to becoming an international best...

What if your deepest pain was the key to your awakening? In this profound episode of Mind Over Matter, we sit down with Kerry Blaser—shamanic mother, writer, and author of My Inner Heroine. Kerry takes us through her powerful journey of heartbreak, psychic reawakening, and emotional rebirth. From surviving a near-suicide to embracing her divine feminine, Kerry shares how trauma became her teacher and surrender her medicine. Tu...