What if everything you've been doing to heal is actually keeping you stuck?

In this episode, I sit down with Manna Abraham — former CFO, founder of the Emotion Memory Pattern Release Method, and author of Finally Free — to explore why so many people spend years (or decades) in the healing loop without ever truly starting to live.

Manna shares her journey from chartered accountant and CFO to trauma recovery specialist, including the day she couldn't move from her bed for three days despite every credential and certification she'd earned. That moment forced one question: what is there left to lose?

In this conversation you'll discover why your values may be rooted in fear rather than strength, the difference between knowledge and wisdom and why knowing something doesn't mean you're living it, the four internal instruments of the mind and how discernment changes everything, three powerful questions that cut through survival mode and point you toward what you actually want, and why time doesn't heal — you do — and how Manna helps clients step out of complex trauma in hours rather than years.

Manna's book Finally Free: The Six-Step Path for Overcoming Personal and Generational Trauma When Talk Therapy Is Not Enough is a do book, not a read book — each step is meant to be applied, not just understood.

Find Manna Abraham and her work at the links below.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Manna Abraham's Journey
06:02 The Turning Point: Embracing Inner Wisdom
11:32 The Power of Self-Observation and Non-Identification
17:04 Aligning with Inner Compass: Three Key Questions
22:11 The Role of Guidance in Personal Growth
27:40 Conscious Choices: The Path to Deeper Inquiry
30:03 The Power of Conscious Intention
36:46 Understanding the Six Steps to Healing
40:36 The Role of Values in Personal Growth
50:33 Personal Leadership and Inner Peace
54:22 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

Learn more about Manna here - https://mannaabraham.com/

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Disclaimer

Professional medical care and psychotherapeutic services are not offered on this Youtube channel. It is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such condition

Seeking professional support is encouraged if you think you have an issue and that you want help.

Will Steel flew fast jets for the Royal Air Force, walked away from a dream British Airways 747 posting, and spent 15 years leading transformational programs to 90,000 people worldwide. Now he's written the book he always believed was impossible to write — Free to Lead.

In this episode, Will breaks down why your biggest obstacle isn't your circumstances — it's the decision a 3-year-old version of you made that you've been living out ever since. We talk about the Islamic concept of Fitra (your true natural essence), ontological coaching, why speaking the truth out loud is the fastest path to freedom, and how to lead authentically when you've spent years playing a role.

Whether you're a young person figuring out who you are, a leader stuck in overdrive, or someone curious about what's actually underneath the anxiety — this one's for you.

Will Steel's Website - https://willsteel.com

Chapters

00:00 The Journey to Writing a Transformational Book

05:52 From Pilot to Personal Development Leader

11:47 The Impact of Military Service on Personal Growth

16:58 Authenticity and Leadership: The Fitra Method

22:32 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Finding Self-Acceptance

27:07 Revisiting Childhood Experiences

29:40 Understanding Ontological Coaching

33:34 Balancing Internal States and Practical Tasks

37:55 Identifying Limiting Beliefs in Work

43:14 The Importance of Integrity and Honesty

More:

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Questions - hello@startswithme.ca DISCLAIMER: Copyright

Disclaimer Professional medical care and psychotherapeutic services are not offered on this Youtube channel. It is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such condition Seeking professional support is encouraged if you think you have an issue and that you want help.

In this episode, I sit down with Dave Salmoni, zoologist, producer, Animal Planet large predator expert, and one of the most fascinating men I've had the chance to speak with.

Dave has spent decades working with lions, tigers, bears, sharks, and other dangerous animals in extreme environments around the world. But this conversation is about much more than wildlife. It is about fear, calm, courage, preparation, fatherhood, spirituality, and what it means to transform as a human being.

We talk about how Dave learned to stay focused under pressure, what it feels like to face real life-or-death fear, the brutal lion attack that changed him, and how those experiences compare to the fears that come with marriage, parenting, and building a meaningful life. We also discuss his return to academia later in life, his pursuit of a PhD, the role of mindfulness and community, and what he has learned about happiness, purpose, and growth.

This is a conversation about predators, yes, but it is also a conversation about the human nervous system, resilience, reinvention, and how to live with more courage, clarity, and compassion.

Learn more about Dave here:

https://x.com/davesalmoni

https://www.youtube.com/@TheDaveSalmoni

In this episode, we discuss:

• Dave Salmoni's path into wildlife and television
• Working with lions, tigers, bears, and sharks
• The difference between real fear and everyday anxiety
• How preparation builds calm under pressure
• The lion attack that changed his life
• Fatherhood, family, and shifting priorities
• Spirituality, mindfulness, and inner growth
• Going back to school later in life
• Why curiosity and passion still matter
• What animals can teach us about being human

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:33 Dave Salmoni's life today

08:24 How he got started with animals

13:40 Building a wildlife TV career

22:32 What real fear actually feels like

27:18 The lion attack that changed his life

40:06 Fear in the wild vs fear as a parent

41:53 Faith, mindfulness, and inner calm

43:53 Retirement, family, and identity

53:53 Why he went back for a PhD

1:09:04 Parenting, passion, and life now

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If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might find it helpful.

#DaveSalmoni #Fear #Courage #Parenting #Psychology #AnimalPlanet #MentalHealth #Resilience #Fatherhood #Mindfulness

Disclaimer

Professional medical care and psychotherapeutic services are not offered on this Youtube channel. It is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such condition

Seeking professional support is encouraged if you think you have an issue and that you want help.

What happens when someone you love is drinking (or using) and your life starts to fall apart?

In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer for a brutally honest conversation about what it's like to live with addiction in the family — the fear, the anger, the shame, the hyper-vigilance, the "walking on broken glass"… and the moment you realize: I can't fix them. I'm the one who needs help too.

Jennifer shares her real healing journey through Al-Anon: why it didn't click the first time, what finally broke her open, and how the program helped her move from control → caring, interference → love, and chaos → clarity. We walk through the 12 Steps (in plain language) and talk about sponsors, inventory work, boundaries, resentment, grief (including the loss of the dream), and the daily practices that actually create serenity when life is still messy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Healing Journeys

03:54 We are the ones who are sick

09:08 Finding a Higher Power: Steps Two and Three

14:02 Shame and Guilt in the Context of Addiction

16:33 The Importance of Boundaries

21:44 The Process of Self-Inventory: Steps Four and Five

29:02 The Power of Forgiveness

45:08 Understanding Anger and Its Roots

48:54 The Power of Self-Restraint

56:20 Making Amends: Steps Eight and Nine

01:05:38 The Healing Power of Shared Language

01:16:41 The Spiritual Transformation Through the Steps

This is the episode for you if you've ever:

• tried to manage someone else's substance use

• felt responsible for keeping the peace

• lived in fear of the next blow-up

• carried the quiet shame that nobody understands

• needed boundaries but didn't know how to hold them

Important: We are not affiliated with Al-Anon, AA, or any 12-step organization. This is simply our lived experience and what helped us.

If this hits home, send it to someone who needs it. And if you're in the thick of it: you're not alone.

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Questions - hello@startswithme.ca

Disclaimer

Professional medical care and psychotherapeutic services are not offered on this Youtube channel. It is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such condition.

Seeking professional support is encouraged if you think you have an issue and that you want help.

In this episode, Emilio Parga, a pediatric thanatologist, shares his journey of helping individuals cope with grief and loss, particularly in the wake of significant events like 9/11. He discusses the importance of addressing unprocessed grief, especially among men, and emphasizes the need for open conversations about death. Emilio reflects on his personal experiences with loss and how they shaped his work in establishing a nonprofit dedicated to grief support. He also explores cultural perspectives on death and the evolution of grief conversations in society, advocating for grief literacy and community support.

In this conversation, we get into:

• The difference between unprocessed grief and "unresolved grief" (and why language matters)

• Why grief often shows up as anger, shutdown, addiction, overwork, or emotional distance

• The difference between grief (what I feel inside) and mourning (how grief goes public)

• A powerful shift from "triggers" to reminders

• Why kids are often the forgotten mourners—and what happens when we don't support them early

• What grief literacy looks like in real life, and how I can build it in my home, my community, and my workplace

If you've ever lost someone—or you're supporting someone who has—this episode is a grounded, human conversation about grief: not "getting over it," but learning how to move through it with honesty, dignity, and connection.

Learn more about Emilio's work here - www.solacetree.org

Watch the video version by subscribing to my YouTube channel - YouTube Subscription Link

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Grief and Loss

04:50 The Catalyst of 9/11 and Personal Journey

09:18 Understanding Unprocessed Grief

13:39 Building a Grief Center: The Journey Begins

18:23 The Role of Death in Life and Healing

22:34 Understanding Grief and Mourning

25:53 Personal Experiences with Death

30:42 Cultural Perspectives on Death

36:34 The Evolution of Death Conversations

42:47 Grief Literacy and Community Support

Disclaimer

Professional medical care and psychotherapeutic services are not offered on this Youtube channel. It is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such condition

Seeking professional support is encouraged if you think you have an issue and that you want help.

In this episode, Christopher Carazas shares his profound journey through childhood challenges, mental health struggles, and the impact of divorce. He discusses his experiences with ADHD and autism, the importance of therapy, and the role of community in fostering resilience. Christopher emphasizes the significance of self-compassion and offers valuable insights for those facing similar challenges, encouraging listeners to seek help and find their reasons to stay.

Learn more about Chris here - https://chriscarazas.com/

Takeaways

Christopher's journey includes overcoming ADHD and autism.
He emphasizes the importance of community and support systems.
Masking was a significant part of his life experience.
Therapy played a crucial role in his recovery.
Self-compassion is essential for mental health.
He encourages others to find their reasons to stay.
Micro moments of resilience lead to significant change.
Divorce had a profound impact on his mental health.
He wrote a memoir to share his story and help others.
Reaching out for help can be a vital step in recovery.

Chapters

00:00 Journey of Self-Discovery
05:47 Struggles with Mental Health
09:20 The Impact of Relationships
13:17 Childhood and Adolescence
20:46 Navigating Social Interactions
26:59 The Value of Honesty
32:30 Navigating Conversations and Responses
34:25 Tools for Mental Health and Self-Compassion
45:47 Finding Reasons to Stay and Community Support

Disclaimer

Professional medical care and psychotherapeutic services are not offered on this Youtube channel. It is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such condition

Seeking professional support is encouraged if you think you have an issue and that you want help.

What if power isn't something you're born with… but something you take back?

In this conversation, Lawyer & Professor Christine E. Ohenewah discusses her journey as a lawyer and educator, focusing on her mission to build the Elizabeth Chinabua Foundation and a new model of higher education. She emphasizes the importance of humanism, empowerment, and self-definition, while exploring the intersections of law, spirituality, and societal conditioning. Christine addresses the challenges of modern masculinity and the need for a more compassionate understanding of men's struggles. She advocates for a transformative approach to education that prioritizes personal growth and critical thinking, aiming to inspire the next generation to embrace their authentic selves and reclaim their power.

Chapters

00:00 Building a Legacy: The Elizabeth Chinabua Foundation

03:08 Humanism and Empowerment: Defining Agency

05:45 The Intersection of Law and Spirituality

08:40 Understanding Power: Self-Definition and Autonomy

11:33 Societal Conditioning: The Narrative of Power

14:44 Navigating Identity: The Search for Authenticity

17:32 Creating Your Own Reality: The Power of Self-Definition

20:27 The Role of Morality: Good, Bad, and Human Nature

23:21 Historical Materialism: Rules and Observations

26:15 The Collective Conscience: Governance and Spirituality

29:12 Embracing Agency: The Power Within

34:17 Overcoming Common Pushbacks to Personal Empowerment

40:09 Redefining Masculinity in Modern Society

50:50 The Importance of Understanding Men's Inner Worlds

58:48 Innovating Higher Education for Empowerment

Key Takeaways

✅ Why power is the ability to self-define your narrative

✅ How capitalism shapes mental health, identity, and "success"

✅ Why law is spiritual (and words literally shape reality)

✅ The difference between knowledge vs knowing

✅ Why people stay trapped in the illusion of "safety" and approval

✅ The crisis of modern masculinity—and why "toxic masculinity" misses the point

✅ Why men are becoming discrete victims in a collapsing system

✅ What it really means to build creators, not consumers

This episode is about truth, responsibility, freedom, and reclaiming your life—without shame, without moralizing, and without pretending the world is fair.

If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, resentful, or powerless… this conversation might be the reset you needed.

📌 Christine's work + links are in the show notes.

https://www.etfny.org/

🔥 Subscribe for more conversations on mental health, masculinity, agency, recovery, and meaning.

#MentalHealth #Masculinity #Agency #Power #SelfImprovement #Humanism #Education #Psychology #Podcast

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Questions - hello@startswithme.ca

DISCLAIMER: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.

Disclaimer

Professional medical care and psychotherapeutic services are not offered on this Youtube channel. It is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such condition

Seeking professional support is encouraged if you think you have an issue and that you want help.

In this episode, we explore the intersection of compassion, honesty, and responsibility in the context of addiction and mental illness. Join us as we discuss personal insights on how to apply boundaries, ethics, and values to help guide us in supporting loved ones on their recovery journey while maintaining our own boundaries.

This is an incredibly difficult situation for many people. We use recent Reiner Family tragedy as an example of the pains of addiction and mental illness.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Reiner Family Catastrophe

09:37 The Importance of Honesty in Parenting

12:28 Navigating Truth and Compassion in Relationships

15:14 The Role of Accountability in Recovery

18:17 Understanding Addiction: Trauma vs. Reward

21:05 The Complexity of Enabling and Boundaries

23:47 Truth-Telling as a Path to Growth

27:12 The Dual Nature of Addiction

30:00 Setting Boundaries with Love

33:01 The Challenge of Personal Responsibility

Original video source: Page Six & New York Post - https://youtu.be/8fGQdtzcvMY?si=bDX9pk9dEdpXwYrD

Free 1-month of the Meditation App - Waking Up https://dynamic.wakingup.com/guestpass/SC58BD912

Questions - hello@startswithme.ca

DISCLAIMER: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.

Disclaimer

Professional medical care and psychotherapeutic services are not offered on this Youtube channel. It is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such condition

Seeking professional support is encouraged if you think you have an issue and that you want help.