Welcome to Beyond the Surface—the podcast where real growth begins with real conversations. I’m Michael A. Benton, and every week we dive into the deep stuff—mindset, purpose, parenting, failure, healing, and how to rebuild your life when things fall apart. This isn’t surface-level motivation. It’s about transformation—from the inside out. If you’re tired of settling and ready to live with intention, you’re in the right place.
True leadership isn’t about control — it’s about trust, empowerment, and creating an environment where people can grow.
In today’s episode, I’m sharing a personal experience that reminded me exactly what kind of leader I strive to be. We’ll explore the difference between leading with fear vs. leading with freedom, why ego has no place in leadership, and what it actually takes to be someone worth following.
You’ll learn:
Have you ever felt like life keeps forcing you to move before you’re ready? Like just when you start to feel stable, something shifts—and you’re pushed into the unknown?
In this episode, I open up about a personal turning point I’m navigating right now. I recently got pushed out of a situation I wasn’t fully ready to leave—and it made me confront a pattern I’ve been repeating for years.
We’ll talk about:
How do you show up for your kids when you’re the one hurting?
So many fathers carry silent battles — trying to be the provider, the protector, the steady rock — all while feeling completely broken inside. We’re taught to stay quiet, to stay strong, to bury the pain. But that silence can create distance, not just from your family, but from yourself.
In this episode, I’m getting honest about what it looks like to lead your family while...
If your life looked exactly the same 10 years from now… would that be good enough?
Most people never stop to ask themselves what they actually want. They work hard, stay busy, follow the rules—but still feel stuck, drained, and unfulfilled. In this episode, we’re flipping the script.
This isn’t about surface-level goals. It’s about designing your life from the inside out. I’m breaking down the power of vision, why most people avoid c...
If your life hasn’t changed… maybe it’s not your circumstances.
Maybe it’s your thinking.
In this episode of the Conscious Living Book Series, we’re diving into the mindset shifts that lay the foundation for lasting growth. Because the truth is: before you grow outward, you’ve got to grow inward.
We’ll explore:
Waking up to your potential is one thing.
Committing to change? That’s the part that separates the few from the many.
In this second episode of the Conscious Living book series, we’re digging into what it really takes to commit when comfort feels safer than growth. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to take the first step—this is for you.
We’ll talk about:
If you knew your dream would take 13 years… would you still chase it?
What if it never came to pass—would you still show up, still put in the work?
In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most important questions I’ve ever heard—one that stopped me in my tracks and forced me to check my intentions. Am I chasing this for the outcome? Or because it’s who I truly am?
This episode is for anyone who’s tired of waiting, questionin...
Have you ever looked around at your life and wondered, “How did I even get here?”
In this episode, I’m sharing the real, raw moment that woke me up from living on autopilot—and how you can begin to do the same.
If you’ve been going through the motions, following the script that society handed you, and still feeling stuck or unfulfilled… this is your wake-up call.
We’ll talk about:
In this episode, I'll dive into the essence of summer, a season that symbolizes growth, abundance, and the fruits of hard work. As the days stretch longer and the sun shines brighter, we explore how this vibrant time of year mirrors our own personal and professional journeys.
Just as plants flourish under the summer sun, we, too, experience growth when we nurture our goals with dedication and effort.
In this episode, we explore the concept of divine timing and how embracing it can transform your life. We'll discuss the importance of trusting the process, letting go of the need for control, and understanding that everything happens for a reason.
Join me as I share my personal expereinces with it and practical tips on how to cultivate patience and faith in order to trust the process of life. Discover how to align w...
In this insightful episode, we explore the importance of setting boundaries and being less accessible in relationships. Learn how to protect your time, energy, and emotional well-being by establishing clear limits. We'll discuss the signs of over-availability, the benefits of creating healthy distance, and how to put you first.
Join me to discover how to nurture more balanced, respectful, and fulfilling connections. T...
In this empowering episode of "Morning Mindset," we delve into the transformative power of a mental morning routine. Let's explore why the first moments of your day are crucial for setting the tone for everything that follows.
Learn practical tips to cultivate a mindset that prepares you for life's daily battles. From my very own mindfulness practices, I'll guide you on how to start your day with p...
In this episode, we explore the subtle messages that guide us toward what truly deserves our attention. From intuitive nudges to insightful conversations, life often sends us signals pointing us in the right direction. But are we listening?
We'll discuss the importance of tuning in to these guiding messages and recognizing the cues that can lead us to greater clarity and purpose. This episode is perfect for anyone loo...
In this episode, I will break down the key obstacles that can derail your path to success. We will identify and explore five critical barriers: lack of a process, distractions, resistance, and instant gratification. I'll break down how each barrier manifests in our daily lives and provide practical strategies to overcome them.
Whether you're striving for personal growth, career advancement, or any form of achieve...
In this episode, we're going to touch on resilience and personal growth as we explore the theme of facing adversity. Life's challenges can be tough, but they also offer unique opportunities for growth and self-discovery. I will share my story of how I'm confronting adversity head-on and emerged stronger and wiser.
Discover how adversity can serve as a catalyst for profound personal development and learn valu...
In this episode, Join me as we uncover the subtle connections guiding your journey and revealing the hidden patterns that have been quietly at work behind the scenes. From chance encounters to unexpected opportunities, discover how the universe conspires to bring about moments of clarity, growth, and transformation.
Through personal anecdotes and reflective insights, we explore the significance of these alignments and how ...
In this episode, I discuss what it's like to know what you want in life but unsure as to how you're going to obtain it. I break down three reasons that I believe led me to feel this way and what I believe the answer is to stop feeling like this.
I believe everyone's path is different and it's up to each individual to navigate their way towards the life they want.
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In this episode, I delve into the intricacies of what truly makes a relationship thrive. Join me as I explore the key ingredients that contribute to a healthy and fulfilling connection between partners. From effective communication and mutual respect to trust and support, we uncover the fundamental aspects that lay the foundation for a strong and enduring bond.
Through insightful anecdotes and expert advice, listeners wil...
"Comfortability brings you brief emotional peace but creates long-term mental paralysis."- Michael Benton
When your growth feels stagnant and suffocating, a fresh air of uncertainty brings life back into the fight.
For so long, I'd gotten accustomed to the feeling of being comfortable in life, and because of this, I've stunted my growth in life, and I'm tired of it!
In this episod...
Have you ever found yourself trying to control the outcome of something you want or are a part of?
Do you ever find yourself giving up all the control and allowing forces outside yourself to give you what you want and need?
In this episode, I share my thoughts about the concept of controlling vs allowing.
I share my circumstances that are currently shaping my belief around taking action (control) towards ...
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.