Best Brett Yang Podcasts (2025)

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Josh Trent: How to Build Emotional Resilience in the Age of Distraction 1:32:21

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1d ago1:32:21

1:32:21

How do you build agency and resilience in a world that profits from your distraction? How can we live with authenticity when everything feels fake? What if the hardest parts of being human are actually just a result of cultural conditioning, quietly shaping your life from the shadows of your subconscious mind? On today’s show, we go deep with my fr…

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Christy Tennery-Spalding: Building Political Homes and Redefining Self-Care Beyond Capitalism 48:12

23m ago48:12

48:12

Christy Tennery-Spalding, activist and organizer, shares how growing up near Washington D.C. shaped her oppositional stance to power structures and led her to find a “political home” in San Francisco’s activist community. She introduces the concept of informed consent in organizing—ensuring participants feel safe, informed, and empowered rather tha…

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Andrew Yang: Universal Basic Income and the Automation Crisis Remaking America 44:31

1d ago44:31

44:31

Andrew Yang traces his path from failed entrepreneur to 2020 presidential candidate driven by a single realization: automation has already destroyed millions of American jobs, and the next wave will be exponentially worse. Through his work with Venture for America, he witnessed firsthand the economic devastation in Detroit, Ohio, and the Midwest—wh…

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Andrew Bustamante: Inside the Mind of a Spy — Tradecraft, Trust, and the Cost of Secrecy 1:10:20

1d ago1:10:20

1:10:20

Former CIA field operative Andrew Bustamante pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to recruit spies, run intelligence operations, and navigate a life built on secrecy, loyalty, and manipulation. In this riveting and wide-ranging conversation, Bustamante shares stories from his military training at the Air Force Academy, his time at “The Fa…

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Chris Fussell: Systems, Mindset, and Leading at the Edge 56:27

1d ago56:27

56:27

Former Navy SEAL and leadership strategist Chris Fussell reveals how elite teams operate under pressure—and how those principles can be applied far beyond the battlefield. Drawing from years of operational experience and his work with General Stanley McChrystal, Fussell explains how systems thinking, decentralized decision-making, and shared consci…

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Carlos Adell: From Drug Dealer to Industrial Engineer to Finding True Success Through Strategic Environment Design 52:37

2d ago52:37

52:37

Carlos Adell shares his unconventional path from growing up in a small Spanish town with limited resources to running a six-figure drug dealing business while simultaneously working as a DJ and industrial engineer. After nearly dying from a heart attack at 29 while working in corporate, Adell discovered that he had been living other people’s dreams…

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Alison Shcraeger: The Economics of Risk and What a Las Vegas Brothel Taught Me About Uncertainty 45:46

6d ago45:46

45:46

Alison Shcraeger, economist and author of An Economist Walks Into a Brothel, explains how risk really works and why most people misunderstand it. From studying sex workers in Nevada to analyzing probability theory, Alison reveals that humans are not naturally wired to process probabilities—but we can learn. She introduces the concept of natural fre…

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John Epstein: Testing Acast Sync and Update Functionality 51:45

7d ago51:45

51:45

This is a test episode to verify that our Acast sync system works correctly. We will upload this episode with a far-future publish date, then update the midroll timestamp to confirm that the PATCH endpoint successfully syncs changes from our local index to Acast without re-uploading the audio file. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in…

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Akshay Nanavati: Finding Bliss Through Suffering, Silence, and the Edge of Human Endurance 49:36

9d ago49:36

49:36

Akshay Nanavati is not your typical adventurer — he’s a former Marine, a survivor of war-induced PTSD, and a seeker of what he calls the “crucible of suffering.” In this deeply introspective and intensely raw conversation, Akshay explores how pain, guilt, and darkness became vehicles for transcendence in his life. From confronting suicidal despair …

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Itamar Marani: How to Turn Setbacks into Secret Weapons 1:10:24

15d ago1:10:24

1:10:24

When everything is on the line, ever wonder why some otherwise incredible athletes choke spectacularly? Why did Michael Jordan consistently sink game-winning jump shots at the buzzer when everyone else was throwing up bricks? Today we’re here with a veteran coach who’s cracked the code on peak performance. Itamar Marani has lived through the kind o…

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David Brooks: Seeing People Deeply in a World of Shallow Interactions 56:45

16d ago56:45

56:45

New York Times columnist and bestselling author **David Brooks** joins Srini Rao to unpack what it really means to know and see another person — and how our ability to connect deeply has deteriorated in a world dominated by distraction, paradigmatic thinking, and judgment. Drawing from his latest book *How to Know a Person*, Brooks explores emotion…

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Damon Centola: Why Change Spreads from the Edges—Not the Influencers 56:51

17d ago56:51

56:51

Damon Centola, sociologist and author of *Change: How to Make Big Things Happen*, dismantles the myth of the influencer and introduces a radically different model of how ideas and behaviors actually spread. In this thought-provoking conversation, Centola explains why change doesn’t come from social media stars with massive followings—but from dense…

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Jennifer Wallace: Raising Resilient Kids in a Culture That Says They're Never Enough 51:53

18d ago51:53

51:53

Jennifer Wallace is a journalist, researcher, and mother of three who set out to answer one of the most pressing questions in modern parenting: *Why do our kids feel like they're never enough — and what can we do about it?* Drawing on insights from her book *Never Enough* and years of reporting, Wallace explains how achievement culture, status anxi…

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Laura Huang: Creating an Edge in a World That Won’t Hand You One 1:05:42

19d ago1:05:42

1:05:42

In this powerful and perspective-shifting episode, Harvard Business School professor and author **Laura Huang** shares a deeply human and practical roadmap for transforming disadvantage into advantage. Drawing from her book *Edge*, she breaks down the four-part EDGE framework—Enrich, Delight, Guide, and Effort—showing how each of us can flip bias, …

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Emily Fletcher: The Science and Simplicity of Unlocking Human Potential Through Meditation 46:52

20d ago46:52

46:52

Emily Fletcher, founder of Ziva Meditation and a former Broadway performer, shares how her journey from the stage to spiritual leadership reshaped her understanding of success, fulfillment, and mental resilience. In this candid and practical conversation, Emily explains the science behind stress, its impact on performance, and how meditation can tr…

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Dr. Ann Shippy: Fertility, Longevity and Mold Detoxification 1:00:31

29d ago1:00:31

1:00:31

Have you considered how the choices you make today shape the health and destiny of your children before they’re ever born? What if the most important gift you could ever give your future child is the health and resilience you build in yourself today? As rates of chronic health conditions in children—including autism, anxiety, diabetes, obesity, and…

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Courtney Harding: Building the Future of Human Connection Through XR, Education, and Digital Agency 50:29

1M ago50:29

50:29

Courtney Harding, founder of Friends with Holograms and a leading voice in spatial computing, joins Srini to discuss the real-world applications and philosophical implications of immersive technologies like VR and AR. Drawing from her background in music journalism, activism, and public policy, she unpacks how virtual experiences are reshaping educ…

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Daniel Lieberman: Dopamine, Desire, and Why Enough is Never Enough 51:43

1M ago51:43

51:43

In this mind-expanding conversation, psychiatrist and author Daniel Lieberman unpacks the role of dopamine — the brain's molecule of motivation — and how it shapes nearly every aspect of our lives, from love and ambition to addiction and impulsive behavior. Drawing from his bestselling book *The Molecule of More*, Lieberman explains why we’re wired…

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Annie Duke: Why Knowing When to Quit Is a Superpower 1:10:48

1M ago1:10:48

1:10:48

In this powerful third appearance, bestselling author and decision strategist Annie Duke dismantles the myth that grit is always good — and makes the case for why strategic quitting is essential for success. Drawing from cognitive science, personal experience, and examples like Muhammad Ali, Dave Chappelle, and Stuart Butterfield (Slack), Duke illu…

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The Science of Mastery: Anders Ericsson on Deliberate Practice 45:52

1M ago45:52

45:52

Psychologist Anders Ericsson, the originator of the concept of deliberate practice, shares the foundational principles behind how experts are made—not born. Drawing on decades of empirical research, he explains how world-class performance emerges through structured effort, targeted feedback, and the development of mental models over time.Ericsson c…

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Dr. Sabine Hazan: How Microbes Shape Memory, Mood, and the Mind 58:35

1M ago58:35

58:35

What if the secret to unlocking the mysteries of our minds, our health, and even our happiness is hiding in the most unexpected place—our own gut? Could the answers to our most stubborn health mysteries—and maybe even the secret to a longer, happier life—be found in the microbes we’ve spent a lifetime trying to avoid? How does our microbiome affect…

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The Operating System of Transformation: Salim Ismail on Exponential Thinking, Leadership, and Inner Engineering 57:33

2M ago57:33

57:33

In this episode, Salim Ismail — founding executive director of Singularity University and author of *Exponential Organizations* — maps out what it takes to adapt, lead, and build in a world defined by accelerating change.He unpacks the frameworks behind exponential growth, the future of learning, and the architecture of modern organizations. But th…

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Dennis Xu: Designing Tools That Think Like We Do 47:01

2M ago47:01

47:01

Dennis Xu, co-founder of Mem, unpacks the future of personal knowledge and how it’s being reshaped by networked thinking, cognitive design, and human-centered AI. Drawing on his Stanford background, founder journey, and product philosophy, Dennis challenges the folder-based paradigms of information management — replacing them with malleable, graph-…

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The Science of Focus: Gloria Mark on Attention Rhythms, Flow Myths, and Digital Control 52:12

2M ago52:12

52:12

Cognitive scientist Gloria Mark explains why modern knowledge work sabotages attention — and how to fight back. Drawing from her decades of research, she breaks down internal vs. external distraction, meta-awareness, cognitive rhythms, and the misunderstood nature of flow states. This episode delivers practical insights for reclaiming agency over y…

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Sonkhe Ahrens: Building a Thinking System That Generates Insight, Not Noise 46:13

2M ago46:13

46:13

Sonkhe Ahrens shares how traditional approaches to knowledge — highlighting, tagging, collecting — fail to support actual thinking. Drawing from Niklas Luhmann’s Zettelkasten method, Ahrens explains why insight isn’t something you plan for, but something you engineer into existence by connecting information deliberately over time. The conversation …

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David Page of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on Eating Nose-To-Tail 55:18

2M ago55:18

55:18

What’s the secret to shedding fat as a foodie who refuses to sacrifice joy or flavor? This week’s guest changed the way we think about food and mom and pop businesses in America. He’s a legend in journalism and beloved in the food world, saving countless independent restaurants from certain destruction. As the creator of the beloved TV series Diner…

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Kevin Surace — Building Smarter, Leading Better, and Adapting to AI 1:10:56

2M ago1:10:56

1:10:56

Kevin Surace breaks down how AI is reshaping the future of work — not by eliminating jobs, but by replacing repetitive tasks and redefining what humans are actually needed for. He explains why productivity, not headcount, will determine company growth in a labor-constrained world. Drawing from decades of applied AI experience, Surace outlines the e…

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Dr. Scott Sherr: Methylene Blue for Energy and Mitochondrial Optimization 1:09:28

2M ago1:09:28

1:09:28

You’ve probably heard the buzz around the mythical and sketchy-sounding synthetic compound known as methylene blue. How is it that methylene blue went from a 19th-century textile dye to a futuristic, cutting-edge mitochondrial-enhancing compound that turns your tongue blue? After surviving freak bouts of carbon monoxide poisoning, black mold exposu…

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Ben Greenfield: Stem Cells, Botox, and Biohacking Blunders 1:01:35

2M ago1:01:35

1:01:35

What if the key to an extraordinary life is becoming radically, unapologetically yourself? Today, we’re here with the one-and-only Ben Greenfield, a man who has been pushing the boundaries of human performance for decades. In the ever-evolving world of biohacking, he’s tried just about everything so that you don’t have to. But we’ve known each othe…

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Jay Yang: You Can Just Do Things 55:01

3M ago55:01

55:01

What if success isn’t just about working hard, but about creating your own opportunities? Today we’re here with teen phenom and author of the new book, You Can Just Do Things, Jay Yang. I met Jay last year through our friend and past guest of the show, Noah Kagan. At 17, Jay sent Noah Kagan, founder of AppSumo, a 19-page pitch deck breaking down ga…

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Dr. Ryan Lazarus: How to Survive a Near-Death Experience 58:45

4M ago58:45

58:45

Have you ever had a near death experience? I sincerely hope not. But as long-time listeners know, I’ve had a couple of close calls. A simple twist of fate or freak accident can alter the course of your life. But if you let them, tragedies can set us on a new path that can change us for the better. The reason I disappeared for the past few months is…

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Will Henshall: Transform Distraction into Peak Focus with Functional Music 1:03:33

5M ago1:03:33

1:03:33

Do you find yourself more distracted than ever? You’re not alone. In the rapid-fire, hyper-connected, dopamine-driven modern world, harnessing true focus is a rare superpower… But understanding the subtle mechanics of human attention might just be the most valuable skill in our increasingly distracted world. Today, we're exploring the extraordinary…

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James Swanwick: How to Break Free from Alcohol 1:06:06

6M ago1:06:06

1:06:06

Do you ever feel like you’re losing your edge? Today we’re here with my friend James Swanwick, creator of Alcohol Free Lifestyle, a movement guiding high-achievers like you to sidestep the sauce. In this episode, we’re exploring James’s journey from rock-bottom, hungover in the hallowed halls of IHOP, where dreams go to drown in corn syrup and regr…

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Listener Favorites: Paul Millerd | The Pathless vs Default Path 1:05:17

6M ago1:05:17

1:05:17

Join us for a compelling conversation with Paul Millerd, author of The Pathless Path. In this episode, Paul shares his insights on finding yourself in the wrong life and the real work of figuring out how to live. Discover his journey through experiments, travels, and lessons learned, as he pieces together a set of principles to guide him from unful…

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Ben Azadi: How Toxins Like Glyphosate Sabotage Your Metabolism 58:38

6M ago58:38

58:38

What if being overweight isn’t the problem, but actually a symptom of deeper dysfunction? The body doesn't lose weight to get healthy; it gets healthy to lose weight. And reclaiming your metabolic freedom may just save your life. Our guest this week, Ben Azadi is a living testament to the power of focusing on lifestyle factors like real food and fi…

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John Wang: Overcoming Burnout, Imposter Syndrome & Perfectionism 1:02:58

6M ago1:02:58

1:02:58

Have you ever struggled with burnout or imposter syndrome? No matter how much you accomplish, does it somehow feel like it's never quite enough? Today, we’re here with my friend John Wang, an author, speaker, and global traveler on a mission to help high-achievers overcome maladaptive patterns and break free from the invisible scripts and cultural …

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Listener Favorites: Arianna Warsaw | Navigating The Dynamics of Identity Change 1:00:52

6M ago1:00:52

1:00:52

Join us as we sit down with music industry insider, Arianna Warsaw-Fan Rauch. Discover her unique perspective on navigating identity change and get an insider's tour of the industry. From musician life to proper clapping etiquette, Arianna shares her knowledge and experiences. Don't miss this chance to gain a deeper understanding of the classical m…

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Listener Favorites: Manisha Thakor | Money Zen: The Secret to Finding Your Enough 58:16

7M ago58:16

58:16

In the latest episode of The Unmistakable Creative Podcast titled 'Money Zen: The Secret to Finding Your Enough', we are joined by Manisha Thakor, a seasoned financial expert and the Founder of MoneyZen LLC. With over 25 years of experience in the financial industry, Manisha offers a fresh perspective on our relationship with money and success. Dra…

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Listener Favorites: Aaron Dignan | How to Speed up The Organizational Decision Making Process 57:11

7M ago57:11

57:11

Aaron Dignan is using software to help scale new ways of working and expedite the decision making process of organizations. Discover the possibilities for transformation in the workplace and realize how we can use software like Murmur to revolutionize our slow and outdated systems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Dan Faggella: The Radical Future of Human-AI Interaction 1:09:50

7M ago1:09:50

1:09:50

In a world where machines can outperform humans in nearly every conceivable domain, where exactly does that leave us? When artificial intelligence can fulfill our deepest drives and reward pathways more reliably than any human relationship, what happens to human connection, meaning, and purpose? Today, we’re exploring the world of artificial intell…

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Listener Favorites: Drew Plotkin | How to Use Tattoos to Rewrite Your Story and Reinvent Yourself 1:00:01

7M ago1:00:01

1:00:01

Drew Plotkin, tattoo artist and filmmaker, shares his journey of self-discovery through tattoos in this episode. He recounts his adventures, from death row to Hollywood, and uses his experiences to inspire listeners with his resilience and determination to live life on his own terms. Don't miss this raw and honest account of success, failure, and f…

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Listener Favorites: Gautam Mukunda | What Presidential Elections Can Teach us About Leadership 1:06:48

7M ago1:06:48

1:06:48

In this podcast episode, we sit down with Gautam Mukunda, a Research Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership, to discuss what we can learn about leadership from presidential elections. Drawing on insights from his book 'Picking Presidents', which examines the qualities that make for successful leaders, Mukunda provides a…

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Listener Favorites: Jeremey Utley | How Having Lots of Ideas Leads to Creative Breakthroughs 57:10

7M ago57:10

57:10

If you want to be more innovative, you need to start by changing the way you think about creativity. Good ideas aren't the result of pure wisdom, but rather the practice of innovation. Learn how to tap into surprising and valuable ideas on demand and fill the creative pipeline with breakthrough ideas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…

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Listener Favorites: Russ Roberts | The Decisions that Define Us 1:02:18

7M ago1:02:18

1:02:18

We have apps telling us who we should date, what music to listen to and which route to take to work, but no algorithm or AI can tell us who we should marry, where we should live or at what age we should have children. According to economist Russ Roberts, these decisions are borne of the necessity to solve life's wild problems. They aren't decisions…

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Listener Favorites: Camille Virginia | The Power of Offline Social Connection 1:01:50

7M ago1:01:50

1:01:50

Camille Virginia presents a refreshing and influential solution to the conundrum of digital connection. That is- meeting offline and in the real world. Not only does Camille explain the power of offline connection but she also provides a handbook that will help you fast track your way to building a fulfilling and thriving connection with anyone. Ho…

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Listener Favorites: Michael Bungay Stanier | How to Unlock Your Greatness By Working on Hard Things 45:10

7M ago45:10

45:10

Welcome to an inspiring episode of Unmistakable Creative, featuring the brilliant Michael Bungay Stanier, a renowned coach and author, as we explore the path to unlocking greatness by embracing challenges. Join us as we delve into the transformative power of working on hard things and how it leads to personal and professional growth. Stanier shares…

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Listener Favorites: Madeleine Dore | Redefining What it Means to be Productive 56:38

7M ago56:38

56:38

In this episode, Madeleine Dore discusses how we can redefine productivity by embracing the messiness of life. Dore shares her insights on dismantling comparison, aspirational routines, and unrealistic expectations, encouraging listeners to find their own way to navigate the never-ending list of things to do. Tune in to discover a new perspective o…

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Listener Favorites: Tim Klein | The New Science of Navigating School, Careers and Life 1:02:34

7M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Tim Klein breaks down an evidence-based decision-making framework designed to help you make life's biggest decisions. Learn how to navigate the modern education system and ever-changing world of careers to find your purpose in life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Joshua Weissman: Cooking is an Act of Rebellion 1:15:02

7M ago1:15:02

1:15:02

Today, we have a special in-person episode going back in time with our friend Joshua Weissman. This episode was actually recorded many moons ago, but after one of my computers died the files sadly went missing. Now years later, I was able to retrieve most of our conversation and finally edit this show together. Since the original recording of this …

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Listener Favorites: Mike Liguori | How to Heal a Relationship with a Parent 56:08

7M ago56:08

56:08

We interview Mike Liguori, founder of Live Your Truth Media and author of The Road Ahead and Miles Behind. Mike shares his insights on how to heal relationships with parents, drawing on his experience reconciling with his father during a cross-country road trip. Tune in to learn more about Mike's journey and gain valuable insights on how to mend re…