• Mindset Reset: How to Stop Stress from Running Your Life with Madelaine Weiss
    Feb 18 2025

    About Madelaine Weiss: Madelaine Claire Weiss (LICSW, MBA, BCC) is a Harvard-trained licensed psychotherapist, mindset expert, and board-certified executive, career, and life coach. With a background in clinical psychology and business, she helps busy professionals master their minds to achieve success and fulfillment without burnout. A bestselling author, speaker, and consultant, Madelaine has been featured on NBC, Fox TV, and numerous media outlets, and has written for publications such as Thrive Global and Authority Magazine. She has spoken for organizations including Harvard Medical School, the American Bar Association, and AARP. Passionate about personal and professional growth, she empowers individuals to align meaning and purpose for a thriving life.


    In this episode, Brian and Madelaine Weiss discuss:

    • Understanding and managing burnout in high-stress environments
    • The challenges of parenting while caring for aging parents
    • Emotional regulation techniques for parents and children
    • How thought patterns and external influences shape our reality


    Key Takeaways:

    • Practicing three deep, diaphragmatic breaths through the nose, where the belly expands on the inhale and contracts on the exhale, can instantly calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and improve decision-making by shifting the brain into a clearer, more focused state.
    • By teaching kids simple stress-management techniques like power breathing, parents can create a shared emotional language that not only helps children navigate their own feelings but also strengthens the parent-child connection through mutual understanding.
    • Since the human brain consciously registers just 50 bits of information out of six times 70 million zero bits available, our perception of reality is heavily filtered, meaning that many of our worries, biases, and stressors are shaped by an incomplete and often distorted mental narrative.
    • The people we interact with, the media we consume, the food we eat, and even the thoughts we allow to linger in our minds all contribute to our mental and emotional well-being, making it essential to be intentional about choosing high-quality influences that uplift rather than drain us.


    "Good company… includes the people you allow into your life—but it's not limited to that. It's the food you drink, the books you read, the music you listen to, and especially the thoughts you allow to remain in your head. The highest quality you can afford should be the good company of your life." — Madelaine Weiss


    Connect with Madelaine Weiss:

    Website: https://madelaineweiss.com/

    Book: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Madelaine-Claire-Weiss/author/B08VDWG5R1

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelaineweiss/


    Host contact information: 

    • Email: briansacksnewsletters@gmail.com

    

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    26 mins
  • Goals, Self-Care, and Resilience for the Overwhelmed with Melanie Yates
    Feb 4 2025

    About Melanie Yates: Melanie Yates is a certified relationship coach, best-selling author, and founder of Happy Joyous & Free LLC, dedicated to helping individuals and couples build stronger connections and live fulfilling lives. With over a decade of coaching experience and 21 years in the healthcare field, Melanie specializes in emotional management, stress relief, and finding joy amidst life’s challenges. Known for her compassionate and multi-modal approach, she has successfully guided hundreds of clients through struggles like PTSD, addiction, depression, and anxiety toward self-fulfillment and freedom. Melanie’s work is grounded in a deep belief in love and positivity, which she radiates as a wife, mother, and mentor to those she inspires.


    In this episode, Brian and Melanie Yates discuss:

    • Managing the pressures of juggling family, work, and personal responsibilities
    • Setting clear goals and creating actionable plans to achieve them
    • Prioritizing self-care to reduce stress and prevent burnout
    • Seeking guidance and support when feeling stuck or overwhelmed


    Key Takeaways:

    • Writing goals down on paper and breaking them into manageable steps creates a roadmap that fosters clarity, accountability, and a sense of control over the chaos of daily life.
    • Preventing and recovering from burnout requires setting firm boundaries around work and personal commitments, prioritizing self-care, and intentionally dedicating time to restorative and enjoyable activities.
    • Acknowledging feelings of overwhelm and seeking external support, whether from a coach, therapist, or trusted confidant, can provide fresh perspectives, actionable strategies, and relief from trying to manage everything alone.
    • Building flexibility into your plans while maintaining a clear vision for your desired outcomes ensures you can navigate setbacks and adapt to life’s inevitable challenges without losing sight of your long-term goals.


    "We get so serious with all these responsibilities that we forget we need to have fun—the little girl or boy in us still needs to come out." — Melanie Yates

    Connect with Melanie Yates:

    Website: https://www.happyjoyousandfree.org/

    Email: married2bless@gmail.com

    Book: Happy, Joyous, and Free by Melanie Yates: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Joyous-Free-Love-matter/dp/173608741X

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-yates-dr-coach/


    Host contact information: 

    • Email: briansacksnewsletters@gmail.com

    

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    23 mins
  • Life's Fingerprint: Understanding Birth Order and Family Dynamics with Dr. Robert Hurst
    Jan 21 2025

    About Dr. Robert Hurst: Dr. Robert V.V. Hurst, originally from Hammond, Indiana, is a Harvard-educated orthodontist with over 50 years of experience. Practicing in Covington, Louisiana, he has used his office as a real-world laboratory to study the relationship between birth order and personality traits. This research led to his groundbreaking “Double Birth Order” theory, which uncovers individuals’ true birth order and explains their behaviors. A former instructor at Tufts and Louisiana State University, Dr. Hurst has published extensively and shares his findings in Life’s Fingerprint: How Birth Order Affects Your Path Throughout Life.


    In this episode, Brian and Dr. Robert Hurst discuss:

    • The influence of birth order on personality and relationships.
    • Double birth orders and their unique effects on individuals.
    • Birth order’s role in managing family caregiving dynamics.
    • Practical applications of birth order in parenting and careers.


    Key Takeaways:

    • Birth order is a nuanced framework shaped by factors like sibling spacing, parental dynamics, and blended families, all of which significantly influence personality development and relational patterns.
    • Double birth orders emerge when siblings are spaced four or more years apart, creating traits that mimic only children or entirely new family hierarchies, which can magnify or alter original birth order traits.
    • Understanding birth order can resolve conflicts in caregiving scenarios, as dynamics like a "three-only" sibling rising to leadership often create friction with traditional family hierarchies.
    • Applying birth order insights helps improve parenting strategies, fosters better workplace collaboration, and even informs romantic compatibility by revealing the relational patterns people are drawn to.


    "If you understand birth order, it's not just 1-2-3; it can be 17 or 18 different types. But once you understand it, it is a Rosetta Stone for understanding everybody in your life, and it'll make things so much easier." — Dr. Robert Hurst


    Order Dr. Hurst's book today for a personalized autograph and insights into your true birth order: https://www.mybirthorder.com/


    Connect with Dr. Robert Hurst:

    Email: lifesfingerprint43@gmail.com

    Website: https://www.mybirthorder.com/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifesFingerprintYourBirthOrder

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rvvhurst/


    Host contact information: 

    • Email: briansacksnewsletters@gmail.com

    

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    34 mins
  • From Stress to Rest: Transforming Your Relationship with Sleep with Elizabeth Armstrong
    Jan 7 2025

    About Elizabeth Armstrong: Elizabeth Armstrong is a Certified Adult Sleep Coach with Sleep Solutions Unlimited, bringing a wealth of experience from her diverse professional background. As a registered nurse, Ph.D. in psychology, and holder of a Master of Divinity, she combines these disciplines to offer a holistic approach to adult sleep solutions. Inspired by her own sleep challenges and those of others, Elizabeth focuses on helping middle-aged and older adults improve their sleep quality through personalized, non-medicated strategies. She is passionate about empowering her clients to achieve longer, deeper, and more restorative sleep.


    In this episode, Brian and Elizabeth Armstrong discuss:

    • The importance of sleep for overall health and well-being
    • Common challenges and misconceptions about sleep issues
    • Strategies for improving sleep and overcoming insomnia
    • Personalized approaches to addressing sleep problems


    Key Takeaways:

    • Sleep apnea, a serious condition involving insufficient oxygen during sleep, can be managed with alternatives like the "Inspire" device, a small implant that stimulates breathing and avoids the discomfort of traditional CPAP masks.
    • Many people struggle with sleep because of their negative self-image as "bad sleepers," but adopting tools like personalized mantras and meditation can help reframe this mindset and improve sleep quality over time.
    • While medications and alcohol may seem like quick fixes for sleep, they disrupt natural sleep cycles, causing long-term harm to both physical and mental health, making lifestyle changes a better approach.
    • A truly effective sleep environment includes not only external factors like darkness, silence, and the right temperature but also avoiding non-sleep activities like watching TV in the bedroom to maintain a clear association with rest.


    "Everyone is a potentially good sleeper, regardless of the decade they’re in. Yes, things change—life situations, stress levels—they go up and down. But the self-concept of "I am, I can sleep, I have the potential to be a good sleeper" is critical to ingrain…we work a lot with that." — Elizabeth Armstrong

    Connect with Elizabeth Armstrong:

    Website: https://sleepsolutionsunlimited.com/

    Book A Complimentary Sleep Evaluation With Elizabeth:

    https://sleepsolutionsunlimitedelizabeth.as.me/


    Host contact information: 

    • Email: briansacksnewsletters@gmail.com

    

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    27 mins
  • Building the Perfect Sleep Sanctuary for Kids and Families with JoAnna Inks
    Dec 24 2024

    About JoAnna Inks: JoAnna Inks is a Certified Pediatric Sleep Coach and the CEO of Sleep Solutions Unlimited, specializing in helping families teach their babies and children to sleep independently and consistently. Certified by renowned sleep expert Dana Obleman, JoAnna has spent over 14 years transforming sleepless nights into restful ones for thousands of families. In addition to her sleep expertise, she is a Certified Lactation Consultant and Pediatric Feeding Coach, offering a holistic approach to addressing children’s sleep and feeding needs. JoAnna’s mission is to empower parents with customized solutions so the entire family can enjoy the rest they deserve.


    In this episode, Brian and JoAnna Inks discuss:

    • Managing children’s sleep routines and family balance
    • Teaching children independent sleep skills
    • Creating an optimal sleep environment
    • Debunking pediatric sleep training myths


    Key Takeaways:

    • Sleep pressure, the natural buildup of a child’s need for sleep, is crucial for falling asleep independently, and activities like feeding or rocking just before sleep can disrupt this process and lead to nighttime wakefulness.
    • A child’s sleep environment should be a "sleep sanctuary," featuring complete darkness, an ideal temperature range of 68-72°F, and the removal of toys or distractions to establish clear sleep associations.
    • Consistency is key, with routines that aim for 11-12 hours of uninterrupted nighttime sleep, which helps children manage emotions better and supports overall development.
    • Tailored sleep plans, designed with a family’s unique preferences and a child’s specific needs, often succeed where rigid methods or generic advice fail, making sleep training approachable and sustainable.


    "A well-rested child is much more flexible than an exhausted child. So, get the foundation, get that child well-rested, and then I feel like you can have flexibility. It doesn't have to be just one way." — JoAnna Inks


    Get your free copy of 3 Tips To Help Your Baby Sleep Better Tonight!

    https://41a4-joanna.systeme.io/45c6cf65-f3b3e68d-3287c812


    Connect with JoAnna Inks:

    Website: https://sleepsolutionsunlimited.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannainks/


    Host contact information: 

    • Email: briansacksnewsletters@gmail.com

    

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    26 mins
  • Jennifer Ginty: The Moody Monster and the Journey to Emotional Healing
    Dec 10 2024

    About Jennifer Ginty: Jennifer Ginty is a single mother, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate living with Complex PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder stemming from childhood trauma. She is the founder of My Moody Monster, a therapeutic tool helping children express emotions safely and fostering family communication. Through her podcast, When Not Yet Becomes Right Now, and her YouTube series, Jennifer shares her healing journey and practical coping strategies to inspire and support others. Her work emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, resilience, and prioritizing emotional well-being.


    In this episode, Brian and Jennifer Ginty discuss:

    • The lifelong impacts of unresolved childhood trauma
    • Tools and strategies for emotional regulation and healing
    • The challenges of balancing personal well-being with caregiving responsibilities
    • Support systems and innovative solutions for mental health and emotional struggles


    Key Takeaways:

    • Childhood trauma often continues to affect individuals long after they leave the abusive environment, with children frequently facing disbelief and inadequate emotional support, leaving them stuck in a cycle of unresolved pain.
    • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) offers effective techniques for managing PTSD and emotional regulation, focusing on skills like mindfulness and "checking the facts" to help individuals process emotions more constructively.
    • Jennifer shared how her creation, the Moody Monster, has become a powerful tool for children and adults to safely express and manage their emotions, particularly benefiting non-verbal children and those with autism.
    • Caregivers must prioritize their own emotional health and self-care to avoid burnout and provide better support to those who depend on them, especially when balancing overwhelming responsibilities and stress.


    "When you practice being able to live with your emotions in that moment, you start to develop coping skills that can help you work through that moment." — Jennifer Ginty


    Connect with Jennifer Ginty:

    Website: https://mymoodymonster.com/

    Show: When "Not Yet" Becomes "Right Now": https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/when-not-yet-becomes-right-now/id1767481477

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyfPBbjF8fYefOB6I8j007A

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-ginty/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mymoodymonster

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymoodymonster


    Host contact information: 

    • Email: briansacksnewsletters@gmail.com

    

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    21 mins
  • Lauren Fonvielle: Managing Stress and Pain with Emotional Freedom Techniques
    Nov 26 2024

    About Lauren Fonvielle: Lauren Fonvielle is an Integrative Energy Practitioner and Coach specializing in EFT/Tapping to help entrepreneurs reduce anxiety, stress, and limiting beliefs. With a background in business coaching, Lauren now combines energy healing modalities like Reiki, Sound Healing, and Meditation to guide clients through transformative experiences that promote inner peace and personal growth. Drawing from her own journey of healing from chronic pain and anxiety, she helps women, especially entrepreneurs, break free from emotional and physical barriers to achieve balance in both their personal and professional lives.


    In this episode, Brian and Lauren Fonvielle discuss:

    • Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for stress and anxiety management
    • Linking emotional well-being to physical health and pain relief
    • Practical and accessible ways to incorporate EFT into daily life
    • Real-life transformations through EFT practices


    Key Takeaways:

    • Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), also called tapping, is a simple yet transformative practice of tapping on acupressure points while acknowledging emotions, shown to lower stress hormones like cortisol by up to 43%.
    • Tapping helps manage chronic conditions like fibromyalgia by addressing the emotional roots of pain and breaking the cycle of fear, anxiety, and physical discomfort that exacerbates symptoms.
    • By integrating EFT into daily routines, whether proactively as part of a wellness practice or reactively during high-stress moments, individuals can experience immediate and cumulative relief.
    • Through tapping, individuals often uncover and process buried emotions tied to past experiences, which not only alleviates physical pain but also resolves emotional barriers, leading to profound personal growth.


    "We do things to avoid the feelings, and this is a practice that really helps you acknowledge those feelings so that you can move through them, instead of just stuffing them down and trying to avoid them." — Lauren Fonvielle

    Connect with Lauren Fonvielle:

    Website: https://www.mindshiftwithlauren.com/

    Email: lauren@laurenfonvielle.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenfonvielle/


    Host contact information: 

    • Email: briansacksnewsletters@gmail.com

    

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    24 mins
  • Jane Dye: Navigating Grief, Health, and Family Demands with Compassion and Self-Love
    Nov 12 2024

    About Jane Dye: Jane Dye, RN, CCHC, is a Certified Transformational Health Coach and founder of Precedo Inc., where she combines her extensive background in nursing with holistic wellness coaching. With years of experience in hospital-based roles and as a former director of medical training, Jane shifted her focus to Precedo to help clients achieve greater energy, vitality, and life balance through personalized health strategies. She emphasizes sustainable diet and lifestyle practices, using an embodied coaching style to foster lasting transformations. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Jane is passionate about guiding clients toward vibrant health and overall well-being.


    In this episode, Brian and Jane Dye discuss:

    • Managing stress and health in the midst of family and caregiving responsibilities
    • The impact of grief on mental, emotional, and physical well-being
    • Strategies for cultivating resilience and self-care amid life’s demands
    • How to implement practical, incremental health habits for lasting change


    Key Takeaways:

    • Conscious breathing exercises, involving slow inhales and exhales, can help manage acute stress by engaging the body’s parasympathetic "rest-and-digest" system, which reduces stress hormones and stabilizes the heart rate.
    • The most effective habit changes often start with small, achievable actions that have the highest potential impact, allowing for meaningful progress without overwhelming demands.
    • Grieving requires patience and compassion, as each person must navigate creating a “new normal” rather than attempting to return to a pre-loss state, with support from friends, family, or professional resources.
    • Building healthful habits, such as staying hydrated and incorporating mindful movement, can offer stability and strength during challenging times, especially when paired with a mindset of adding positive choices rather than focusing solely on restricting negative ones.


    "The key to any change is honestly to figure out the smallest possible thing that could have the greatest impact." — Jane Dye

    Resources Mentioned:

    Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor: https://www.amazon.com/Breath-New-Science-Lost-Art/dp/0735213615


    Connect with Jane Dye:

    Website: https://janekdye.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-k-dye-rn-cchc-95421631/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janekdyeRN

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janekdye_/

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/janekdye/


    Host contact information: 

    • Email: briansacksnewsletters@gmail.com

    

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    34 mins