Best Michael Unbroken Podcasts (2025)

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Healing from Unprocessed Pain: Overcoming Addiction and Religious Trauma 21:00

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2d ago21:00

21:00

In this episode, I share a compilation featuring a powerful story of overcoming addiction fueled by unprocessed pain and early-life dissociation. The guest talks about the unpredictability of their behavior when consuming alcohol and how it served as a catalyst for unresolved issues. The conversation also explores the traumatic impact of growing up…

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Does Feeling Lucky End Depression? 11:11

15d ago11:11

11:11

In this episode, Michael Unbroken dives into a powerful and personal exploration of how the emotion of feeling lucky might just be the missing link in your healing and success journey. After years of self-inquiry, research, and listening to some of the greatest minds in the world, Michael unpacks whether "feeling lucky" could be a mindset that shif…

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“A WOMAN WHO NOT ONLY SURVIVED BUT THRIVED“ with Guest Author, Dr. Gertrude Lyons. 29:47

15d ago29:47

29:47

Dorothy was the eldest of two children. Her younger brother was well taken care of and able to continue on to higher education, mainly because he was male and in that era, women didn't really pursue higher education because culturally, that wasn't the norm. Women's place was in the home and raising the children. One of the many things that my guest…

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Life:Revealed - Sizwe Malema 55:04

23d ago55:04

55:04

Raised with two loving parents and even a doting grandmother, Sizwe was set to live a life of ease. Bad friends with worse influences led him astray at a very young age and he found himself in the midst of a life of crime. Living as one person at school but another at home, this bright young man tried to fool everyone by making a name for himself o…

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“Andy Warhol’s Mother, The Woman Behind The Artist” with Guest Professor and Author, Elaine Rusinko 24:52

22d ago24:52

24:52

This is the story of a small Carpatho-Rusyn woman, who became know as Andy Warhol's mother. Ulia Zavacka ( pronounced Zavatski), was one of a very large farming family whose homeland today is in the North Eastern Slovakia. Today the general Rusyn population stretches across what is five European countries, including Ukraine, Slovakia, Romania, Hung…

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How To Overcome Rock-Bottom in Five Steps 13:47

28d ago13:47

13:47

In this episode, Michael shares his powerful journey from rock bottom to transformation and provides five actionable strategies for anyone feeling stuck, hopeless, or trapped in destructive cycles. Drawing from his own experience of being 350 pounds, smoking two packs a day, and drinking himself to sleep at age 25 after a traumatic childhood filled…

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She Demands a lot From Those Closest To Her with Guest Career Coach And Counselor Sophee Payne. Looking Back at S3E13 27:40

1M ago27:40

27:40

Deborah, Sophee's mother, "is in her own world and she's happy there and I come in and out of that world and that's ok," continues Payne who's never felt that she's had to live near to her parents. Payne is comfortable saying, "I care for them deeply, I just feel that closeness to them is not a priority." A Florida native, now living in Vancouver, …

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What happened to me and the podcast 15:29

1M ago15:29

15:29

In this deeply honest and vulnerable solo episode, Michael breaks the silence and shares the raw truth behind his recent hiatus from the podcast and Think Unbroken. From personal heartbreak and health scares to questioning the future of coaching and content creation, he opens up about the toll this journey has taken—and the radical accountability h…

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Proud And Passionate About Her Nursing Profession With Guest Chef Dennis Littley. Looking Back at S3E17 33:18

1M ago33:18

33:18

Eunice was a confident hard working woman, that loved God, her country and her family. She was proud of her accomplishments and rightfully so. Chef Dennis is a successful classically trained chef, now retired and a very popular travel and food blogger. He prefers to cook for others rather than cook a meal for himself. His grandmother taught him a l…

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Life:Intercepted - Cathleen Mofokeng 48:12

2M ago48:12

48:12

*Warning: This episode contains references to many subjects that could be disturbing to some listeners. Please listen with caution!* Cathleen was raised in a godly home by parents who loved her and did their best to be the example she needed. There's another side to every story and plagued by being seen as 'different', she became the object of cons…

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My Mother's Ten Commandments with Guest Best Selling Author Marc Gellman 30:07

2M ago30:07

30:07

Though Dorothy was somewhat opinionated, she truly had a big heart. During my conversation with Marc, he shares story after story that had us laughing but Dorothy was the kind of woman who liked things done her way and it was best for everyone that you kept that in mind. She loved keeping a clean house. It was duly important that her sons did well …

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The Power of Being Seen: This Will Change How You See Yourself | with Gregory James Thelian 59:20

2M ago59:20

59:20

Why is it so terrifying to be truly seen? In this powerful conversation, Michael sits down with portrait and boudoir photographer Gregory James Thelian, whose mission goes far beyond taking beautiful photos. Together, they explore why so many people—especially women—struggle with self-worth, hide behind armour, and fear the raw vulnerability of bei…

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When Feeling Most Vulnerable, My Mom Was a Gift with Guest West African Journalist Chisom Peter Job. Looking Back at S3E16 21:21

2M ago21:21

21:21

Life sometimes has a funny way of turning out. Sometimes a dire situation presents itself and the outcome is much better than we could have ever imagined. In this particular case, it took a mother to show her true love, courage and support and possibly willingly risk jail time to prove to her son that she loved him with her whole heart. While conva…

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From Silence to Strength: Healing After Trauma | with Kristin Duncombe 1:01:55

2M ago1:01:55

1:01:55

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Michael sits down with trauma therapist and author Kristin Duncombe to explore the long shadows cast by childhood abuse—and the courageous path to healing. Kristin shares her story of surviving chronic sexual abuse at the hands of a U.S. diplomat while living overseas, the institutional cover-up that fo…

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Life: Unbroken - Michael Brill 54:54

2M ago54:54

54:54

Michael's world was a roller coaster ride from a very young age. It only got worse from there. An alcoholic father and a home torn apart made him vulnerable and angry which manifested itself into drugs and alcohol as he grew older. The late nights and hard living left him broken with the biggest question running through his mind: what is it all for…

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"A Woman of Quiet Strength and Resilience” with Guest Business Strategist and Engineer, Sairan Aqwari 33:16

2M ago33:16

33:16

Sadiqa, my guest's mother, was fifteen years old when she became a mother for the first time as part of an arranged marriage in Baghdad, Iraq in 1955. She was a wonderful mother but Sairan thought a bit too cautious which is very common for a teenager to think. Having a more conservative husband, Sadiqa loved all of her children equally and would o…

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Overcoming Trauma and Embracing Healing | with Dr. Betsy Holmberg 1:05:44

2M ago1:05:44

1:05:44

Why do we keep returning to the same painful thoughts, even after awareness kicks in? In this eye-opening episode, Michael Unbroken sits down with award-winning psychologist Dr. Betsy Holmberg to explore how trauma shapes our brain, fuels negative self-talk, and keeps us trapped in cycles of shame, anxiety, and coping mechanisms that no longer serv…

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A Little Help From Madonna with Guest LCSW-S and Founder of Austin Therapy for Girls, Shayna Barksdale 32:17

2M ago32:17

32:17

Shayna is the founder of "Austin Therapy For Girls" in Austin, TX. She lives next door to her mother Kappie. My guests talk about their similarities and differences through out our conversation. And they both are very keen on helping young ladies figure out/work around all of life's stressors, especially beginning with the tween and teen years. "Pi…

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Healing Through Stories | with Jackie Tantillo 43:18

3M ago43:18

43:18

From the moment we're born, we’re wrapped in a relationship that shapes our soul — the one we have with our mother. For some, it's a source of comfort. For others, a source of pain. But for all of us, it's foundational. Jackie Tantillo is currently the Host and Exec Producer of the "Should Have Listened to my Mother" Podcast. SHLTMM Podcast is a 20…

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“It Would Have Been Nice If We Had Listen To You” with Guest Author and Former Buddhist Monk, Stephen Schettini 32:38

3M ago32:38

32:38

Gwenda, short for Gwendoline, convinced her father to let her go into the circus as long as she got an official job or "booking." She did not want to get a traditional job such as working in the postal service, as her father had dreamed she'd do. Gwenda and her mother were very very close but unfortunately her mother died way too early. In spite of…

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Blooming with Self-Love: How to Reclaim Your Worth | with Aneta Waclaw 49:32

3M ago49:32

49:32

In a world where disconnection, self-doubt, and comparison run rampant, how do we return to ourselves? In this powerful episode, Michael Unbroken sits down with author and self-love advocate Aneta Waclaw to unpack the real meaning of self-love, and why it's more than just a buzzword. Aneta shares the raw and inspiring story behind her book Blooming…

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Life:Disrupted - Mayson Meth 44:25

3M ago44:25

44:25

*Warning: This episode does include references to violence/sexual assault.* Growing up in the Eastern Cape, Mayson was born to a teen mom and raised by loving grandparents who tried their best. Looking different than most people in his community, he decided from a young age he was going to make a name for himself. The life of crime appealed to him …

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The Iron Will Of Ukrainian Women with Guest, Senior Human Resources and Technology Executive, Anya Tomko. Looking Back at S3E10 31:36

3M ago31:36

31:36

The details of the 2022 Ukraine/Russia conflict change minute by minute and hour by hour. What's difficult for my guest and her 80 year old mother, Mariyka, to understand is how shocking this event is. Here we are in the 21st century, and Ukraine is under attack. Certainly not plausible, but clearly possible. What makes this all the more difficult …

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Healing Trauma with The Power of The Subconscious Mind | with Todd Goodwin 50:44

3M ago50:44

50:44

Since 2007, Todd Goodwin has helped thousands to overcome unwanted emotions, habits, and trauma in a way that’s faster than talk therapy, more effective than willpower, and safer than medication. He is one of the few hypnotists (1 in 500) to earn the title Board Certified Fellow by the National Guild of Hypnotists. He currently sees clients from co…

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Family Is So Much More Than Biology with Guest Lifestyle Journalist and Author, Randee Dawn 27:55

3M ago27:55

27:55

Randee and her mom are very close. They have a wonderful relationship and Randee says "she's my best cheerleader." A lot of that has to do with the honesty and open communication that they had from the very beginning-"adoption was normal, not a stigma, not a tragedy." Also, Randee learned at a young age that just because you are blood related doesn…

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Within Chaos, She Brings Inner Calm and Peace with Guest Pianist and Co-Founder of MuseFlow, Patrick Boylan 30:20

4M ago30:20

30:20

Patrick shares stories of his mother and her ability to light up a room whenever she walks in. "She's always herself," beams Patrick. Patrick attributes, her sense of humor to her brothers and he says "she's a little butch, not too feminine." And all of that and more makes him love his mother even more. "She unadulterated herself. She never code sw…

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How to Take Control of Your Health and Age Stronger | with Kimberly Verbeke 58:56

4M ago58:56

58:56

In this powerful episode, Michael sits down with longevity and wellness expert Kimberly Verbeke to unpack what it really means to take control of your health—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Kimberly shares her experience working in geriatrics and how watching people die too soon sparked her mission: helping others age better and live stronge…

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Life:Compared - Phumlani Nxala 48:08

4M ago48:08

48:08

As a twin, life for Phumlani was always a comparison. Sometimes good, sometimes not so good. Raised in a poor family but one who knew how to work hard, Phumlani was raised with the desire to do something and be somebody. He was not one to shy away from a challenge and through dubious intentions found his way into a church. A whole new way of living…

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She Made me Feel Loved, Protected and Secure with Guest Award-Winning Children's Book Author Gramps Jeffrey. Looking Back at S3E12 24:13

4M ago24:13

24:13

SHLTMM CAN NOW BE HEARD ON YOUTUBE: YOUTUBE CHANNEL LINK: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoUWxgQECqrMqI1ylVH9Dpw As I mention in the introduction of my show, Gramps Jeffrey, I believe is the first grandfather I've interviewed on SHLTMM, so that's pretty great. I was so happy to hear how engaged he is with his grandchildren. Gramps' mother's name …

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Healing After Religious Trauma | with Alyssa Grenfell 1:06:30

4M ago1:06:30

1:06:30

In this episode,Michael invites Alyssa Grenfell, an ex-Mormon influencer, to discuss their journeys of leaving the Mormon church and dealing with religious trauma. Both share their personal experiences, pain, and challenges faced while growing up in a religious environment. Alyssa talks about her work, including her book 'How to Leave the Mormon Ch…

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Controlling Me Was More Important Than Loving Me with Guest Psychotherapist and Interior Designer, Dani Gottschalk 31:01

4M ago31:01

31:01

It was such a pleasure to speak with Dani. She's wonderful and has accomplished and overcome quite a bit thus far in her life. And a lot of that has to do with her mother. It took Dani many, many years to figure out what her real connection was with her mother. Was it love? Was it control? Dani was convinced it was love. Even Dani's girlfriends wer…

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Life:Forgiven - Emily Ciaccio 42:33

4M ago42:33

42:33

Raised in a godly home, Emily grew up feeling loved and protected. She learned to follow Christ at an early age, enjoying the adventures of her parents' ministry. Soon after relocating to the United States, Emily found that not everything goes as planned. Young heartbreak left her vulnerable to those with bad intentions. Jumping head first into sin…

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Finding Comfort in the Similarities Between My Mother and Judy Blume with Guest Bestselling Author Rachelle Bergstein 27:11

4M ago27:11

27:11

"I am my mother's only daughter," explains Bergstein. Both of Rachelle's parents eventually remarried. Her father has two daughters from a subsequent marriage. And Rachelle's mom, has remarried twice. Rachelle's parents were very much in love and married right out of college. At around the age of five years old, her parent's split up and Rachelle l…

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Navigating Psychedelic Healing with Micah Stover 57:27

5M ago57:27

57:27

In this episode, we delve into the complexities and potential of using psychedelics for mental health and trauma healing with Micah Stover. The discussion highlights how the popularization of psychedelics like mushrooms and ayahuasca has left many people seeking guidance amidst a deluge of information. Stover shares her professional journey and ins…

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A Complicated Woman Who Finally “Found Her Tribe” with Guests Award Winning Graphic Novel and Picture Book Author, Brendan Deneen and His Mother, Irene Deneen Murray 28:16

5M ago28:16

28:16

In speaking with my two guests, they shared stories of the three generations of writers in the family including, Irene's mother, Wilma, followed by my guest, Irene and her son Brendan. Brendan is an award winning graphic novel/picture book author and acquiring editor at Blackstone Publishing where he also runs the TV and Film Division even made not…

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How to Use Your Emotions as a Catalyst for Transformation | with Ashley Frost 59:20

5M ago59:20

59:20

In this episode, Michael delves into the complex relationships people have with anger, featuring guest Ashley Frost, an expert in anger and emotional release. Ashley shares her personal journey with anger and how it has impacted her life and the lives of her clients over the past five years. The conversation covers the importance of understanding a…