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Are good looks actually a life advantage, or just a very convincing illusion?

In this episode, Craig and I poke at one of society’s favorite unspoken rules: beauty equals value. Why are humans so magnetically drawn to attractiveness? What do we really mean when we say someone is “confident,” “intimidating,” or “easy to like”? And how much of what we believe about social success is… let’s be honest… wildly untrue but repeated with the confidence of an over caffeinated motivational speaker?

We dig into how being different, visibly, socially, existentially, shapes identity. From my experiences growing up with facial deformities to navigating subtle threats to who you are (especially when they come from people you love), this is a candid look at how identity gets formed, fractured, defended, and sometimes rebuilt from scratch. We explore the stories we tell ourselves after awkward silences, side-eye glances, and half-smiles, and why our interpretations of social interactions are often far harsher than reality.

Along the way, we dismantle a few sacred cows:
• The futility of being right (no bridges in human history were ever built by winning an argument)
• Why “just be confident” is terrible advice
• The difference between self-accountability and self-punishment
• What it actually means to be self-authoring, grounded in who you are, not owned by other people’s opinions, but not numb or indifferent either.

This isn’t about ignoring life’s tragedies, horrors, or disappointments. It’s about the antidote, how we can find meaning, as well as mean enough to one another that we help fill the emptiness of existence without pretending the darkness isn’t real. It’s about inherent confidence, earned not through approval, but through honesty, courage, and the radical act of being fully human.

Thoughtful. Uncomfortable. Occasionally funny in a “why am I laughing right now?” way.

Come for the psychology. Stay for the existential reckoning.

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In this episode of The Self-Help Antidote, I sit down with Jo Groves and Behavioral Scientist and Exercise Professional Dr. Lou Atkinson to explore one of the most talked-about topics in health and fitness today, GLP-1. From its medical origins and biological mechanisms to the behavioral implications of satiety and self-control, this conversation pulls no punches on what GLP-1 can (and can’t) do.

Dr. Atkinson unpacks the myths about obesity, the oversimplified “eat less, move more” narrative, and the cognitive distortions that still run rampant in the fitness industry. Together, we explore whether GLP-1 can serve as a keystone habit, building confidence and creating the psychological foundation for lasting change, and whether data supports its role in reducing other cravings beyond food.

The discussion expands into the importance of individualized programming, adaptive gym memberships, and how small wins, community, and empathy-based coaching can drive sustainable progress. Ultimately, this episode challenges the industry to move beyond stigma and towards genuine human understanding, because change doesn’t start in the mirror; it starts in the mind.

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We can’t relive the past, but the past never really leaves us. In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend and co-host Tiffanee Cook to explore how our history continues to shape who we are, what we value, and how we show up today. We unpack why the environments, people, and strengths that fueled our success in the past are a mirror reflecting what matters most to us now, and how dissecting those elements can help us become the best version of ourselves.

Together, we dig into why the most meaningful parts of our lives almost always involve relationships, not transactions, and why success in business and life requires more than strategy, it requires being in the right environment with the right people. We discuss relational vs. transactional business models, the role of community, and why people who genuinely care are good for business. After all, Gallup research shows that 70% of the variance in all business outcomes is directly related to the department manager. Translation: people matter, and leaders who foster connection create the conditions for growth.

This is a conversation about memory, meaning, and the environments that allow us to thrive, because the past may be behind us, but it still has a lot to teach us about the future.

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In this episode, Craig Harper and I pull back the curtain on what it’s like to navigate life and leadership with Tourette’s, equal parts challenge and comedy. From the unpredictability of Tourette's to the absurdities it create's in everyday moments, we explore how humor becomes both a shield and a bridge.

But this isn’t just about Tourette’s, it’s about adjusting to a rapidly changing world. We dive into the emergence of AI, how I use it as my own thought partner and sounding board, a tool I use to sharpen ideas, challenge assumptions, and stay adaptable.

We also take a hard look at the hidden costs of rigidly held rules. Whether in business or in life, clinging to inflexible frameworks can choke creativity, crush adaptability, and leave you flat-footed in a world that demands flexibility of thought in order to cultivate meaningful relationships, while thriving in work and life.

This conversation is our attempt at a raw, funny, and thought-provoking, part personal story, part cultural commentary, part survival guide for anyone trying to lead, create, or simply stay sane in a world that doesn’t stop changing.

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What if the best leadership lessons didn’t come from business school but from behind the chair in a barbershop?

In this episode, I sit down with Susanne Biro, coach to C-suite and executive leaders, author, designer, facilitator, Forbes and CEO Magazine contributor, and TEDx speaker.

Susanne shares her journey from studying psychology to discovering the human side of leadership in the most unexpected of places.

We explore what it really means to lead with humanity: why all leadership development is self-development, how vulnerability depends on psychological safety, and why success isn’t about titles or accolades but about living with intention, kindness, and doing work that matters. Susanne reveals her five-question leadership framework, the value of prototyping your life, and why self-compassion is the gateway to accountability and change.

This conversation challenges business speak with real stories and imagery that connect us back to what leadership truly is, human beings leading human beings.

Susanne’s book, This Could be Everything: For Anyone Who Wants to Make Their Tomorrow Better Than Today, is available at www.susannebiro.com/book
.

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In this powerful conversation, Daniela Tilbrook shares the heart and motivation behind her book Not My Shame. She opens up about the crushing weight of carrying shame for something you could never have prevented, and the fear of what might happen if the truth were ever known.

For Daniela, breaking her silence was both terrifying and liberating. The first time she spoke about her trauma was the first step toward reclaiming her power. In this episode Daniela, Jo Groves and I explore the freedom that comes from letting go of secrecy, the complicated path of forgiveness, and the courage it takes to connect with others in vulnerability.

We dive into post-traumatic growth, the healing that comes from helping others by sharing your story, and the crucial difference between responsibility and fault. Daniela reminds us that taking ownership of your healing journey is not about blame, it’s about growth, contribution, and valuing yourself enough to step into the life you deserve.

This episode is for anyone who has carried the weight of silence, questioned their worth, or wondered if healing is possible. Daniela’s story is proof that not only is healing possible, it can transform pain into purpose.

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Ranae’s story is one of pain, resilience, and the hard work of healing. At just eleven years old she experienced a horrible traumatic event that shaped how she viewed herself, her worth, and her relationships with others. Told to “put it aside” for appearances, she spent years trying to please everyone else while quietly carrying the weight of shame.

Her journey eventually led to Federal Prison, where the shock of turning herself in and confronting fear for the first time became, paradoxically, the beginning of her healing. In this conversation, Ranae shares what she discovered about identity, responsibility, and growth: that loving yourself is not a luxury, but a necessity. That we are not defined by the worst decision we’ve ever made. And that guilt can guide us to accountability, but shame only keeps us stuck.

We explore the danger of labeling yourself as a “bad person,” how hopelessness prevents change, and why “how could you?” is the wrong question. The better question is: “What led to that?” Together, we unpack how unmet human needs drive destructive choices, the role of coping strategies (both helpful and harmful), and why true healing begins with sitting with yourself, developing awareness, and reaching out for support.

Ranae offers a candid look at self-care, boundaries, and the difference between avoidance and authentic growth. Most of all, she reminds us: you are not all bad, you are worth the work, and empathy is not the same as tolerance, it is the bridge to accountability, contribution, and change.

For more resources, visit www.connectingtocope.com
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What’s more useful today: a perfectly polished five-year career plan, or the ability to thrive in chaos? In this episode, Craig Harper and I lean into the reality that uncertainty isn’t going away—it’s becoming the baseline. We explore how self-awareness gives you the clarity to navigate change, why developing actual skill is the backbone of real confidence, and why adaptability has replaced predictability as the career superpower.

Along the way, we get into the paradox of kindness and empathy; two qualities the world needs more of, but paired with the strength not to be walked on and not to let others be walked on either. This is a raw, practical, and sometimes humorous exploration of what it takes to not just survive but flourish in a world that refuses to sit still.

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