Learn From People Who Lived it

In this episode, you'll hear:

How grief shows up in the workplace beyond death, including loss of relationships, health, or missed promotions

The importance of shifting bereavement policies to be more supportive and inclusive Practical advice for handling grief at work, both as a grieving employee and as a supportive coworker Strategies for regaining control after loss, including Jill’s “back pocket” tool for navigating difficu...

Ever wondered why you react the way you do?

Or how you could make better choices in the moment?

In this episode, host Mathew Blades and psychiatrist Dr. Dave explore metacognition, the art of thinking about your thinking. Dr. Dave explains how developing awareness of your own thought processes can help you create space between stimulus and response, offering practical strategies to break reactive habits and gain more control ov...

Do you have the patience to wait for clarity, or are you always chasing what's next?

In this episode of Learn From People Who Lived It, Mathew Blades and Cortney McDermott explore the art of patience, presence, and non-doing in the context of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Fire Horse.

Drawing inspiration from the Tao Te Ching, they break down the wisdom of waiting for the “mud to settle,” trusting that the right action wil...

Mine is Better than Yours: The Trap of Comparison with Dr. Anna Marie Frank

In this episode, Mathew Blades sits down with Dr. Anna Marie Frank, author and wellness expert, to unpack the impact of comparison on mental health, self-esteem, and personal growth. Together, they explore how comparison can trigger anxiety and chronic dissatisfaction, yet also offer opportunities for inspiration and learning.

Dr. Anna Marie Frank shares ...

Hope’s Role in Grief with Jill McMahon

In this episode, Mathew Blades and grief counselor Jill McMahon explore the complex relationship between hope, trust, and the grieving process. Drawing from Jill McMahon’s expertise in working with those experiencing catastrophic loss and trauma, the conversation unpacks why hope can sometimes feel out of reach or even anxiety-producing in the aftermath of tragedy.

They discuss why well-mean...

Hoping Against Hope: Redefining Control, Trust, and Spiritual Alignment with Dr. Dave

In this episode, you'll hear:

• A fresh perspective on hope and its role in mental health
• How agency, the power to choose, can transform your outlook
• Tips for navigating anxiety, trust, and spiritual alignment

Mathew and Dr. Dave explore the real meaning of hope, inspired by Cortney's decision to remove "hope" from her vocabulary. Dr. D...

One Great Teaching: Overcoming the Divided Mind with Cortney McDermott

In this episode of Learn From People Who Lived It, hosts Mathew Blades and Cortney McDermott dive into the power of decision and the exhaustion caused by a divided mind, inspired by the wisdom of James 1:8.

Cortney McDermott shares her practical techniques for quieting internal conflict, emphasizing the importance of relaxation, trust over hope, and playful di...

Why Are You So Stressed? with Dr. Anna Marie Frank

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why people are feeling more stressed than ever, and the role of alignment in stress

• How people-pleasing, control issues, and overcommitment feed overwhelm

• Simple frameworks like "delegate, automate, delete" to reclaim your time and energy

• The importance of resetting your nervous system with breathwork, meditation, and time alone

• Why “mi...

How did our childhood experiences shape our relationship with money?

Good question, in this "Money" episode, we discuss:

- Practical steps to break free from money controlling your decisions - Tips to create abundance and self-worth, regardless of your bank account

Mathew Blades sits down with Scarlett 'The Biz Hippie' to explore the deep roots of our money stories and how they impact our lives. Scarlett shares her own journey f...

A Tragic Event from the Weekend with Jill McMahon

In this deeply personal episode, Mathew Blades opens up about a heartbreaking event he witnessed while supporting a player on his hockey team, and how that evoked memories of his own father's passing.

Joined by grief counselor and author of Bulletproof, Jill McMahon, the conversation explores the ways old trauma resurfaces when new losses occur, the importance of emotional regulat...

Understanding Fast and Slow Thinking with Dr. Dave

In this episode, Mathew Blades sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Dave to explore the inner workings of the human mind, inspired by Daniel Kahneman’s groundbreaking book, "Thinking, Fast and Slow."

They unpack the two key mental systems: System 1, the fast and automatic thinking that governs much of our daily lives, and System 2, the slower, more deliberate process used for complex ...

Perception vs. Reality: Tuesdays with CoCo

What if much of what we accept as “reality” is simply shadows on the wall? In this episode, author and speaker Cortney McDermott and Mathew explore Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, using it as a powerful metaphor for how our perceptions, conditioning, and learned helplessness can keep us stuck in limited narratives.

They share personal stories of breaking free from those chains, discuss the...

Finding Friendship and Connection Over 40 with Dr. Anna Marie Frank

In this heartfelt episode, Mathew Blades sits down with Dr. Anna Marie Frank to explore the challenges and opportunities of making new friends after 40.

Together they discuss the unique loneliness that often arises after decades spent building careers and raising families, and how quality, depth, and accountability become more important in friendships as we age. ...

One Phrase That Can Change Your Year with Johanna Laurent

In this episode, Mathew Blades sits down with author Johanna Laurent to explore the transformative impact of language on mindset, resilience, and personal growth.

Inspired by her journey overcoming childhood adversity, she shares how uplifting phrases helped her navigate uncertainty and self-doubt, leading to her pocket-sized book, Everything is Fine.

The conversation delv...

In this timely episode, Mathew Blades and Jill McMahon confront the emotional toll of gun violence as it saturates our screens and social feeds. Drawing from lived experience and clinical expertise, Jill unpacks the damaging effects of repeated visual trauma and how constant exposure can desensitize us, elevate stress, and keep us in a cycle of hyper-vigilance.

Together, they discuss practical tools for reclaiming wellbeing: paus...

How Decision-Making Works with Dr. Dave

Ever wondered why you make the choices you do? In this episode, Mathew Blades and Dr. Dave break down the science and psychology behind decision-making, highlighting how much happens before we’re even aware we’ve made a choice. Dr. Dave explains the “spark” that jumpstarts our decision process and reveals how our brains weigh tiny votes for and against, influenced by emotions, context, and ...

Using Your Original Equipment with Cortney McDermott

In this special episode, hosts Mathew Blades and Cortney McDermott explore the concept of “original equipment." Those innate gifts, talents, and qualities we are born with often get buried under societal expectations and conditioning.

Through storytelling, reflection, and a guided meditation, they invite listeners to reconnect with their true selves by embracing childlike energ...

How to Talk to Yourself with Dr. Anna Marie Frank

In this episode, Mathew Blades sits down with Dr. Anna Marie Frank, author, speaker, and founder of Happy Whole You, to explore the art and science of self-talk.

Drawing from her book, Stop Bullying Yourself, Dr. Frank unpacks why negative self-talk develops, the powerful impact of our upbringing and environment, and how our internal dialogue can shape everything from physical hea...

On this Feel Good Friday edition of Learn From People Who Lived It, host Mathew Blades welcomes leadership economist, keynote speaker, and former U.S. Navy commander Mary Kelly.

Together, they dive into the power of clear communication in work and life, revealing why most misunderstandings stem from assuming others can read our minds.

Mary Kelly breaks down practical frameworks for leaders sharing how setting deadlines, giving re...