Melting Pot

From Chicago to Hollywood sets and the heart of historic Greenwood Avenue, John Wayne S III’s path was anything but predictable. Once a pre-med student, a chance phone call landed him on a film set and he never looked back.

Over a career spanning three decades, John has directed music videos for Grammy-winning artists, produced award-winning films like “Red All Over” and “The Tuskegee Airmen Project,” and founded Londyn Town P...

What if you didn’t have to choose just one life?

Adam LaSalle never fit in a box and he doesn’t want you to, either. From teaching English and math, to leading a music program, to acting on NBC’s Chicago Fire and performing off-Broadway, Adam has built a career by refusing to follow the “one path” rule.

In this episode, Adam reveals:

-       Why being a multi-hyphenate actor, musici...

“I flatlined. I lost my husband. I lost years. But I never lost myself.” 

-

Cyndee Dhalai

Cyndee has been called a medical enigma. Surviving multiple near-death experiences, living 11 years in a wheelchair, and allergic to nearly every drug. But that’s not the story she chooses to tell.

Instead, she tells us what it means to begin again. To grieve without drowning. To listen when the body breaks and answer back with spirit...

"You’re not too old. You’re just telling yourself that.”

After 34 years working with the blind, David Petrovay walked away- burnt out, but not done.

Today, he helps people reframe their stories, identify their strengths, and step into careers that actually feel meaningful.

David’s not just a coach. He’s a former educator, a narrative builder, and someone who’s walked the hard road of reinvention.

In this episode of Melting ...

What if your ‘positivity’ is actually hiding self-loathing?

When Suzan Peltekian walked away from a thriving real estate career, it wasn’t just a professional pivot, it was a radical act of self-trust.

In this episode, Suzan reveals: 

-The silent grip of toxic positivity

-The one decision that rewired her life

-Her Miracle Morning rituals that turn intention into action

-Why your subconscious mind is running the show (and ho...

From tossing lo hei with Christabel to pickling tea leaves with Thet, this episode takes you on a journey across kitchens, wet markets, hawker stalls, and family dining tables—through the voices of the women who live in this city’s diversity every day.

- A South African barbecue in the tropics.

- A Singaporean-Indians go-to hawker stalls.

- Banana stems and tea leaf salad in Peninsula Plaza.

- Cheese, dim sum, and food rituals that...

What do dinosaurs, planets, and squats have in common? For Raj Khedun, they were the starting points of a lifelong search for deeper meaning.

In episode 9 of our ongoing season 19, we sit down with the dynamic founder of Keep Fit Kingdom, who’s on a mission to help a billion people live healthily to 100. A seasoned relationship coach, yogi, author, and wellness entrepreneur, Raj shares how his childhood curiosity evolved into th...

After walking away from a high-powered legal career and a life that wasn’t truly hers, Sophia Elan (aka Debra Buhring) found healing, purpose, and a voice. In this powerful conversation, she shares how she transformed years of trauma into a life of authenticity. Through travel, writing, and heart- centered living.

Tune in to hear how Sophia broke free from toxic patterns and built a life aligned with who she really is.

#Sophi...

At 60, Barry Finlay climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and it changed everything. What started as a personal challenge became a bestselling book, a decade of philanthropy, and an unexpected award from the Queen. In this episode, Barry shares the real story behind the mountain, the writing journey that followed, and why it’s never too late to start over.

🎧 Hit play for a story of reinvention, resilience, and quiet courage.

Episode availa...

What if the food you eat could help you feel calmer, more grounded, and less stressed?

When Llance Kezner and his wife, Lori, started experimenting in their kitchen, they had no idea their creations would become award-winning products found in thousands of stores. But behind Keep Life Tasty is a simple mission—to make food that brings comfort, both physically and emotionally.

From their first-ever garlic condiment (a happy ac...

In 1979, Chris Donaldson set out from Belfast to ride his Moto Guzzi Le Mans to Australia. He never made it. Instead, he crossed the Middle East, rode through the Sahara, hitched a yacht ride, and ended up in Argentina.

44 years later, he picked up where he left off—riding the same bike across the world. But this time, the obstacles were bigger: age, political unrest, and a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

Beyond adventure, Chris has s...

What if obstacles were actually guideposts?

Author, screenwriter, and creator of Life is a Trip Reincarnation Stories, Brownell Landrum shares her journey of embracing the unknown.

From a sudden decision to leave behind a settled life to an unexpected encounter in Tunisia, she reveals how unseen forces shape our paths.

In this episode, Brownell talks about reincarnation, the voices that guide her writing, and the fine line...

In this fascinating episode of Melting Pot, we sit down with Csongor Daniel, a master of bioenergy healing with over 30 years of experience in harnessing the power of energy to promote healing and well-being. Originally from Hungary and now based in the United States, Csongor shares his extraordinary journey—from his engineering background to discovering the unseen forces of energy that shape our lives.

Csongor discusses hi...

In this inspiring episode of Melting Pot, we dive deep into the transformative journey of Nadia Sethi, a former hospitality professional turned healer and coach.

With over two decades of experience serving humanity in the corporate world, Nadia found her true calling during a life-changing transition catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nadia shares her powerful shift from the fast-paced hospitality industry to embr...

In our final episode of our series Echoes of Impact we meet Matthew Carauddo—aka "Novastar"—a versatile creator with 30+ years in acting, directing, and staged combat.

Mathew is a licensed fencing instructor, he has trained hundreds in the California Bay Area. 

Matthew Carauddo, is the visionary behind "Diamond Dragons," bringing the story to life as its creator, author, designer, and voice-over artist. With over 30 yea...

In episode 6 of our series Echoes of Impact, we meet Henry Woodman, a seasoned professional in film production and travel with an MBA from the University of Arizona and Nova Southeastern University.

Fluent in English, Spanish, and French, he co-founded WoodMark Productions in 1984, blending his passions. Henry’s career led him to Santiago, Chile, where he spent two years producing the hit game show Machos.

Henry Woodman’s ca...

In episode 5 of our ongoing series Echoes of Impact, we meet Stefan Fehr, an AI pioneer and visionary entrepreneur since 2019. With a passion for content creation, marketing, and business development, Stefan crafted intelligent apps, founded an AI App Store, and designed cutting-edge websites.

A sought-after speaker and blogger, Stefan shares insights on the future of work, society, and AI. As the founder of ModernIQs, Stefan h...

In episode 4 of our series Echoes of Impact we meet Joelle Kaufman, creator of the "Curveball Method," inspired by her family's battle with breast cancer and 25 years of her life in the Silicon Valley.

Joelle's method has already impacted 150,000+ professionals and is the subject of her upcoming book, Crushing the Cancer Curveball.

Tune in as our host Payal Nayar explores Joelle's journey in this episode.

With over 20 years ...

In episode 3 of our new series Echoes of Impact, we meet Patricia Mulles, an independent consultant specialising in marketing, customer experience, and data governance.

As Director and Global Partnerships Head for She Loves Data, a 25,000-member nonprofit, she empowers women to shape a data-driven future.

Patricia's forward-thinking approach and dedication to bridging the gender gap in tech make her a key advocate for women in ...