Grow Yourself: Personal Development School of Growth

Epizode

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  BUILDING VERSION ONE...OF YOU! 04.09.2026 1h 40min

  Dr. Colby Jubenville on why you can't build version two of yourself until you build version one. MTSU professor, TEDx speaker, and author breaks down his talent development framework, why distraction is the real enemy, and how adversity becomes your greatest competitive advantage.Kevin sits down with Dr. Colby Jubenville, professor at Middle Tennessee State University and director of the Center for Student Coaching and Success, for a conversation about timing, mentorship, and the work of building a life on purpose.Colby introduces his talent development framework and the idea that before you can build version two of yourself, you have to build version one. He walks through the realization, result, activity model he uses with students, his five levels of people (reactors, strugglers, floaters, someday people, and doers), and why he believes distraction is something the brain is wired to protect itself with, not a personal failing.The conversation moves through Colby's own story: a childhood vision condition doctors said would limit him, a defining moment negotiating his first real contract with entrepreneur Brian Shulman, and a college oral exam he nearly failed that unlocked the creativity he'd been sitting on for years. He and Kevin also dig into curiosity, personal branding, manifestation, and Colby's four rules of talent development, including his advice on turning adversity into a competitive advantage.It's a conversation between two people who've spent years thinking about the same questions from different angles: identity, growth, and what it actually takes to become who you're capable of being.Key TakeawaysYou have to build version one of yourself before you can build version two.Distraction is the brain protecting itself, not a character flaw.Realization, result, activity turns insight into action.Reactors, strugglers, floaters, and someday people stall. Doers take small daily steps.Self-reliance builds survival. Interdependence builds meaningful relationships.Personal branding is brand image plus brand identity.Adversity, used intentionally, becomes a competitive advantage.Curiosity about yourself, not passion, is where growth starts.GUEST BIO:Dr. Colby Jubenville is a professor at Middle Tennessee State University and director of the Center for Student Coaching and Success. A two time TEDx speaker, author, and coach, he has spent his career helping students, professionals, and organizations understand their unique value and build it into meaningful careers and lives through his talent development framework. He is co-author of Me: How to Sell Who You Are, What You Do, and Why You Matter to the World and Zebras and Cheetahs Look Different: Stay Agile to Survive the Business Jungle.Connect with ColbyWebsite: drjubenville.comCenter for Student Coaching and Success: mtsu.edu/CBHS-successEmail: [email protected]: 615-498-6802Connect with Kevinhttps://linktr.ee/kevinmcnulty
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  WHO’S DRIVING—YOU OR THE WOUND? | Hilary Momberger Powers, The Voice of Sally Brown in Peanuts 11.08.2026 1h 9min

  She was the voice of Sally Brown in the classic Peanuts television specials. Behind the apparent glamour, however, was a childhood marked by addiction, abuse, instability, and trauma. She eventually faced addiction herself before beginning a recovery journey that has now lasted more than 40 years.In this raw, candid, and deeply hopeful conversation, Hilary explains what it means to stop leading with your wound—and why taking ownership of your life is not the same as accepting blame for what happened to you.After 40 years, she managed the first sober living house for women in the United States, and built a career helping others stop leading with their wounds. In this conversation, Hilary and Kevin talk about the difference between using your story for help versus using it for hope, why owning your past is the only way to change it, and how forgiveness works as a process rather than a moment.We explore:- How trauma can create people-pleasers, loners, and controllers- Why victimhood can quietly become part of our identity- The difference between acknowledging your wounds and allowing them to drive- Why forgiveness does not always require reconciliation- How Hilary developed empathy for the mother who traumatized her- The unexpected moment that changed how she viewed her childhood- How faith, service, and responsibility helped her move from pain to purpose- What Sally Brown may have revealed about Hilary all along- Her mantra...Thank You God, Thank You God, Thank You God.Hilary does not minimize what happened to her. She shows us how to stop allowing yesterday’s wounds to determine today’s life.Viewer advisory: This conversation contains candid discussion of addiction, childhood abuse, sexual trauma, and explicit language.00:00 Pain, love, and our relationship with suffering02:30 Meet Hilary Momberger Powers03:25 Who was little Hilary?06:55 How childhood trauma changes us09:00 Living from the outside in11:20 People-pleasers, loners, and controllers13:20 Taking ownership without accepting blame19:20 From child actor to addiction and survival25:00 Why victimhood becomes an identity28:25 The brother who helped save Hilary32:20 Finding joy on the other side of pain35:05 Can we learn to love our parents again?37:20 What it means to lead with your wound39:55 Forgiveness does not require confrontation42:20 Hilary’s difficult forgiveness exercise44:25 Seeing her own retaliation47:15 Understanding the mother who hurt her49:35 “It’s never too late to have a happy childhood”52:30 Healing from the inside out54:15 Changing the story when your parents are gone57:50 The surprising connection to Sally Brown59:20 Using your past—or repeating it63:25 One practice you can begin immediately64:50 Connect with Hilary66:00 Final thoughtsCONNECT WITH HILARYWebsite: hilarymombergerpowers.comLinkedIn: @hilary-momberger-powers-078a604Instagram: @hilarymombergerpowers/Learn more about Hilary’s coaching, speaking, books, and the No Longer Leading With Your Wound method through her website.CONNECT WITH KEVINhttps://linktr.ee/kevinmcnultyBook: The Gap Between Two Worlds#growyourself #personalgrowth #traumarecovery #healing #recoveryjourney #forgiveness #faith #HilaryMombergerPowers
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  He Built Champions for 40 Years. Then He Had to Build Himself 31.07.2026 1h 23min

  He coached Michael Chang and Wes Welker, co-founded the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute, and built one of the most decorated careers in sports science. Then a hospital bed, a broken relationship with his father, and a mountain in Africa taught him what none of the trophies could. This is Dr. Jack Groppel's story of achievement addiction, faith, and fatherhood.Dr. Jack Groppel has operated at the highest levels of human performance for four decades. Co-founder of the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute, Hall of Fame tennis coach, author of The Corporate Athlete, and coach to legends like Michael Chang and Wes Welker, his professional resume reads like a highlight reel.But in this conversation, Jack takes us underneath the resume. He talks about growing up under a demanding father, using achievement as a way to prove his worth, and building a career on that pattern for decades before it caught up with him. He shares the hospitalization that forced him to confront who he actually was, the faith journey that followed, adopting his son from China at nearly 60 years old, and the moment on Mount Kilimanjaro when the two of them stood at the summit together.This is a conversation about ambition, identity, fatherhood, and the difference between a life that looks successful and a life that feels well lived.Key Takeaways1. Achievement can become an addiction when it's used to prove worth rather than pursue purpose2. Facing truth about yourself is its own form of conflict and often the harder one3. Writing a personal mission statement gives you a filter for every decision that follows4. Journaling by hand has research behind it for actually rewiring the brain around old stories5. The question "what matters most right now" is a daily calibration tool, not a one-time exercise6. Breaking a generational pattern requires naming it out loud before you can choose differentlyGuest BioDr. Jack Groppel is an internationally recognized authority in human performance and well-being. He is co-founder of the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute, a former professor, and a trusted advisor to organizations ranging from Fortune 50 companies to global policy groups. He is a Hall of Fame tennis coach and sports scientist, a fellow of both the American College of Sports Medicine and the American College of Nutrition, and has presented his work at the United Nations and before Congress. He is the author of the landmark book The Corporate Athlete and the new memoir Mountains Within, an account of achievement, loss, fatherhood, and faith. He has coached Hall of Fame players including Michael Chang and Stan Smith, and worked with NFL veteran Wes Welker.Connect with JackWebsite: jackgroppel.netLinkedIn: @JackGroppelBook: Mountains Within (available in ebook, paperback, and hardcover, audiobook narrated by Jack himself)Connect with Kevinhttps://linktr.ee/kevinmcnultyBook: The Gap Between Two Worlds#growyourself #JackGroppel #MountainsWithin #humanperformance #CorporateAthlete #personalgrowth #fatherhood #faith #resilience #leadership #tenniscoach #TheGapBetweenTwoWorlds
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  The Joy Molecule - The Secret to a Better Life 16.07.2026 1h 15min

  Most people spend years chasing success... only to discover it doesn't satisfy the deeper questions of life.In this thought-provoking conversation, Kevin McNulty sits down with entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and author Larry Kesslin to explore a different path—one built on joy, purpose, service, and authentic human connection.Larry shares the experiences that transformed his life—from leaving corporate America, to life-changing trips to Africa, to discovering what he calls The Joy Molecule.Together they discuss:- Why success often leaves people feeling empty- The difference between happiness and joy- Identity, purpose, and meaning- Human connection in an AI-driven world- Why serving others changes us more than them- How our thoughts shape our lives- What it means to truly "wake up"Whether you're successful but still searching... or simply wondering what matters most, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the idea of living with joy and living well.Connect with LarryWebsite: https://5-dots.comLinkedIn: @larrykesslinEmail: [email protected]: The Joy Molecule - https://a.co/d/0fGWebWuConnect with Kevinhttps://linktr.ee/kevinmcnultyWatch on YT: https://youtu.be/YXID0iCYJjQ
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  The Hiring System Is Broken. Trust Is Your Competitive Edge. 10.07.2026 1h 17min

  The job search isn't broken because you're not trying hard enough. It's broken because nobody told you the rules changed. Eric Woodard spent 25 years inside the White House, State Department, and Smithsonian. Here's what he knows about trust, AI, and getting hired in 2026.Kevin sits down with Dr. Eric Woodard, ICF Master Certified Coach and founder of Win at Work, who spent over 25 years inside the White House, U.S. State Department, and the Smithsonian. Eric has coached job seekers in over 70 countries.Kevin and Eric dig into why the hiring system feels broken, how AI is already screening candidates before a human ever sees a resume, and why staying human is the real competitive edge in 2026. Eric breaks down the difference between professional and formal, why trust beats skill in every hiring decision, and how making an interview about the employer instead of yourself changes everything.If you're job hunting, recently laid off, or mentoring someone starting their career, this conversation gives you a new way to think about the whole process.Key TakeawaysThe hiring system isn't fair or logical. Since it's not, you don't have to play by rules that don't existTrust, not skill, is the real reason anyone gets hiredHiding details (age, gaps, language) destroys trust faster than revealing them doesAI is useful for fixing mechanics (grammar, tense) but soulless for anything relationalBeing human is the competitive edge in an increasingly automated hiring processMake the interview about them, not you. Curiosity beats credentialsEarly career is the time to run experiments and build real experience, not chase passionDr. Eric Woodard is an ICF Master Certified Coach and founder of Win at Work. He spent over 25 years inside the White House, U.S. State Department, and the Smithsonian, working directly for Hillary Clinton and later serving as Director of Fellowships and Internships at the Smithsonian. He has coached professionals and job seekers in over 70 countries and is the author of Your Last Day of School and The Ultimate Guide to Internships.Connect with EricWebsite: winatwork.ioConnect with Kevinhttps://linktr.ee/kevinmcnulty#CareerGrowth #JobSearch #AI #SoftSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment
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  Change Your Self-Perception, Change Your Life 07.07.2026 1h 17min

  Most personal development focuses on habits, discipline, and mindset.But what if the real obstacle isn't what you do… it's how you see yourself?In this conversation, award-winning photographer Gregory James Thelian explains why lasting transformation begins with self-perception. Drawing from over a decade of helping clients through a unique three-day portrait experience, Gregory shares how identity, neuroscience, and even art can reshape the way we think, feel, and live.Topics include:Why self-help often falls shortThe neuroscience of identity changeSelf-perception and confidenceTrauma, healing, and personal growthWhy people need proof—not just encouragementKey TakeawaysIdentity drives behavior.Self-perception shapes confidence.Encouragement alone rarely creates lasting change.Physical reminders reinforce new beliefs.Art can become a catalyst for healing.Growth happens when we stop believing outdated stories about ourselves.
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  The Last Rocketman... Flying, Failure, and Finding Purpose | w/Dan Schlund 03.07.2026 1h 34min

  He Flew a Real Jetpack, Broke His Neck, and Rebuilt His Life | Dan Schlund the Rocket Man.Dan Schlund spent a decade flying a real rocket belt across six continents, becoming one of only eleven people in history to do it professionally. He also survived a training crash that burned 185 square inches of skin off his leg, and a Guinness World Record attempt that broke his neck and ended his career. Kevin talks with Dan about fear, identity, faith, and why his motto is "don't let your last experience be a bad one."Kevin's childhood hero wasn't Superman. It was Rocketman, the real one, the guy who flew across stadiums on live jet propulsion. Decades later, Kevin found himself performing at the same Super Bowl halftime show as the original Rocketman, and now sits down with Dan Schlund, one of only eleven people ever to professionally fly a rocket belt.Dan flew across six continents for a decade. Along the way, a training accident left him with severe burns and three skin graft surgeries. Years later, a Guinness World Record attempt ended in a crash that broke his neck and closed the door on his career. He lost his identity, struggled with painkiller dependency, and went through a divorce, all while trying to figure out who he was without the persona that had defined him.This conversation moves through Dan's stunt career, his years as a paramedic, the physics and danger of rocket belt flight, and how he eventually rebuilt his life and his business from the ground up. He and Kevin talk about faith, managing fear with logic, and the central message of Dan's book, The Last Rocket Man: it's okay to pivot in your 40s and 50s, and you might not just survive it, you might thrive.Key TakeawaysDan is one of only eleven people to ever professionally fly a rocket belt, a technology that dates back to 1961A training crash burned 185 square inches of skin off his leg and required three skin graft surgeries. He chose to fly again rather than live with the regret of quittingHis personal motto, "don't let your last experience be a bad one," came from his stunt background and shaped every comeback in his lifeA Guinness World Record attempt ended his professional rocket belt career when a fuel malfunction caused a crash that broke his neckHe lost his identity, struggled with painkiller dependency, and divorced during the fallout, then rebuilt through his paramedic and medic-staffing businessHis three-part framework before taking any risk: Am I trained? Is the equipment safe? Do I have a proper crew?His book, The Last Rocket Man, centers on one idea: it's okay to pivot in your 40s and 50s, and that pivot can lead to thriving, not just survivingFinal advice: don't live your life with regrets, and remember that trying something and deciding it isn't for you is a decision, not a regret.Guest BioDan Schlund is one of only eleven people in history to professionally fly a rocket belt, performing across six continents over a decade-long career. Before that, he worked as a Hollywood stuntman, playing characters including Batman and Indiana Jones, and spent years as an EMT and paramedic in Los Angeles and Dallas. After a Guinness World Record attempt ended his rocket belt career with a broken neck, Dan rebuilt his life, launching a medic-staffing business for film and television productions. He is the author of The Last Rocket Man and the subject of an upcoming documentary. Dan lives by the motto "don't let your last experience be a bad one."Connect with DanWebsite: rocketman.tvBook: The Last Rocket Man, available on Amazon and anywhere books are soldDocumentary: coming later this year or early next yearConnect with Kevinhttps://linktr.ee/kevinmcnulty#growyourself #DanSchlund #rocketman #reinvention #resilience #personaldevelopment #TheLastRocketMan #stuntperformer #paramedic #podcast #Faith #secondact #IdentityAfterLoss #doitafraid
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  The career rules have changed. Have you? 30.06.2026 1h 1min

  For decades we were told there was one path:Go to school.Get a good job.Work hard.Stay loyal.Climb the ladder.But today's workplace doesn't operate by those rules anymore.In this most excellent conversation, career strategist Sam Alvita explains why so many capable people feel stuck...and how we can navigate today's changing world with more clarity, confidence, and purpose.One of my favorite takeaways: Don't wait for opportunities. Create them.If you've ever wondered whether there's a better way to think about your career, this episode is for you. Thanks Sam for being such a terrific and thoughtful guest.
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  The Hidden Cracks Inside Successful People 25.06.2026 1h 5min

  Success doesn't always look the way we think it does.From the outside, Jasper Calcara looked like he had it all—a thriving career, professional success, and the respect of those around him. But beneath that success were hidden cracks: pressure, anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional wounds that no one else could see.As a structural engineer, Jasper knew that buildings don't suddenly collapse. First come the cracks. And if those cracks aren't identified and repaired, collapse isn't a possibility—it's only a matter of time.After spending nearly 30 years building businesses and leading teams, the tragic loss of his business partner and the end of his marriage forced him to confront the very cracks he'd ignored for years.In this powerful conversation, Jasper shares how he rebuilt his life from the inside out—and why the strongest foundation you'll ever build isn't beneath a building, but beneath your own life.Whether you're leading a business, navigating a major life transition, or simply feeling the weight of trying to hold everything together, this episode offers practical wisdom for building a life that's not only successful—but resilient, authentic, and built to last.In this episode, you'll discover:Why success can hide unresolved emotional strugglesThe "internal cracks" that quietly undermine high performersHow personal collapse can become the beginning of lasting growthThe engineering principles that apply directly to building a stronger lifeJasper's practical framework: Be Good. Do Good. Evolve.If this conversation encouraged you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need the reminder that true strength begins beneath the surface.#PersonalGrowth #Leadership #SuccessMindset #Resilience#GrowYourselfPodcast
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  Stuck? Dive Deeper. Why craving safety keeps you trapped 23.06.2026 1h 23min

  Why craving safety keeps you trapped, fear of change psychology, navigating life transitions, messy middle personal growth. In this powerful conversation, Kevin McNulty sits down with transition coach Hillary Spiritos to explore why our brains seek familiarity during times of uncertainty—and how that instinct can keep us stuck.Discover how to navigate the messy middle of personal change, distinguish other people's fears from your own truth, and develop the courage to move forward even when life feels uncertain. Learn why passion is built through practice, why growth requires discomfort, and how to stay grounded in your adult self during life's biggest transitions.If you're feeling stuck, anxious, or uncertain about your next chapter, this conversation offers practical wisdom for embracing change and reclaiming your agency.Why Your Craving for Safety Is Keeping You Trapped | Hillary Spiritos | Grow Yourself👍 Like the video💬 Share your thoughts🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on mindset, growth, and personal transformation.⏱️ Suggested Chapters:00:00 – Introduction 08:00 – The Messy Middle16:00 – Fear & Familiarity24:00 – Why We Go Back32:00 – The Illusion of Safety40:00 – Adult Agency 💡48:00 – Family Projections56:00 – Fear vs Truth01:04:00 – Navigating Change01:12:00 – Identity & Growth01:20:00 – Closing ThoughtsGuest BioHillary Spiritos is a transition coach who specializes in helping individuals build courage, clarity, and momentum when traditional life and career paths no longer align. Moving fluidly across higher education, live event production, and the creative arts, she brings an intellectually curious and grounded approach to guiding clients through the complex process of sustainable identity shifts and self-discovery.CONNECT WITH HILLARYWebsite: https://batouttahell.net/Instagram/TikTok: @bat.outta_hellEmail: [email protected] WITH KEVINhttps://linktr.ee/kevinmcnultywhy your craving for safety is keeping you trapped, fear of change psychology, navigating life transitions, messy middle personal growth, adult agency explained, overcoming fear of change, emotional growth and healing, self awareness and identity, finding purpose after transition, passion is built not found, psychology of change explained, growth through discomfort, personal transformation journey, identity and authenticity, building emotional resilience, self improvement podcast, life coaching podcast, mental health and growth, motivation and mindset, grow yourself podcast, hillary spiritos, kevin mcnulty podcast#personalgrowth #selfimprovement #mindset #motivation #lifeadvice #mentalhealth #psychology #healing #purpose #growth #selfawareness #transition #authenticityAsk
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  What AI Can Never Replace: Derek Rydall on God, Inner Intelligence, Identity, and the Human Edge 02.06.2026 2h 1min

  AI is getting smarter. The question is whether we are.In this conversation, Kevin sits down with best-selling author and teacher Derek Rydall to explore one of the most urgent questions of our time: what does it mean to stay fully human as artificial intelligence reshapes nearly everything around us?Derek argues that this moment isn't just a technological shift. It's an evolutionary inflection point, one that will force us back to what the great teachers, philosophers, and wisdom traditions have always pointed toward: know yourself. And that the people who do that inner work won't just survive the AI age. They'll be irreplaceable in it.This is a conversation about inner intelligence, what we risk giving away in the name of convenience, the neuroscience of challenge and growth, and why self-knowledge might be the most important skill anyone can develop right now.In this episode:- Why AI will force a return to ancient self-knowledge- What children miss when technology removes struggle and friction- How convenience is quietly eroding cognition, meaning, and resilience- The difference between outer success and inner development- Why your most authentic self is your greatest competitive edgeDerek Rydall is the author of A Whole New Human, Emergence, and The Abundance Project. His work bridges psychology, spirituality, and human development and has been recognized by some of the most respected voices in personal growth.CONNECT WITH DEREK RYDALL:Website: derekrydall.comBook: derekrydall.com/wholenewhuman/Facebook: @DerekRydallIG: @drydallYouTube: @DerekRydallLinkedIn: derekrydallCONNECT WITH KEVINhttps://linktr.ee/kevinmcnultyGrow Yourself is a long-form podcast about human dynamics, resilience, identity, and the kind of growth that actually changes you.
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  Anarchy For A Day: What Happens When You Stop Obeying Who You Were Told To Be | Grow Yourself 29.05.2026 1h 23min

  In this episode of Grow Yourself, Kevin McNulty sits down with Kyle Merrick for a powerful conversation about identity, belonging, adoption, authenticity, and the hidden ways people lose themselves trying to fit into the world around them.Kyle shares how growing up adopted shaped his search for identity and why so many people unconsciously become versions of themselves they never intentionally chose. This conversation explores emotional honesty, social conditioning, approval-seeking, individuality, self-awareness, and the courage it takes to think for yourself.This is not about rebellion for the sake of chaos. It’s about consciously questioning inherited identity long enough to discover who you truly are underneath it all.Anarchy For A Day: What Happens When You Stop Obeying Who You Were Told To Be 😳| Grow Yourself👍 Like the video💬 Share your thoughts🔔 Subscribe for more deep conversations⏱️ Chapters :00:00 – Introduction03:00 – What Is “Anarchy For A Day”? 🔥07:00 – Identity & Social Conditioning11:00 – Growing Up Adopted16:00 – The Need for Belonging 💭21:00 – Approval-Seeking Behavior26:00 – Emotional Honesty & Authenticity31:00 – Why People Lose Themselves36:00 – Self Awareness & Individuality41:00 – Breaking Inherited Identity 🔄46:00 – The Courage to Think Differently51:00 – Finding Your True Self55:00 – Final Thoughts 57:00 – Closing MomentsGuest BioKyle Merrick is a Denver-based actor, voiceover artist, entrepreneur, and creator of AnarchyForTheDay.com. Through his work, Kyle explores individuality, identity, tactical differentiation, and the human tendency to conform. Drawing from personal experiences including adoption and sobriety, he combines humor, emotional honesty, and unconventional thinking to help people better understand themselves and the world around them.Connect with KyleInstagram: @anarchyforadayWebsite: AnarchyForTheDay.comConnect with KevinX: @kevinspeaks2uLinkedIn: @kevinmcnultyspeaksFacebook: @kevinrichardmcnultyInstagram: @kevinmcnultyspeaksLinktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/kevinmcnultyidentity authenticity 2026, social conditioning exposed, who were you told to be, adoption identity search, conscious interruption mindset, emotional honesty growth, individuality conformist world, self awareness journey, approval seeking behavior, inherited identity questioning, think for yourself, kyle merrick grow yourself, personal growth podcast, authenticity self discovery, anarchy for a day meaning, belonging vs fitting in#GrowYourselfPodcast #AnarchyForADay #KyleMerrick #IdentityAuthenticity#SocialConditioning #GrowYourself #WhoAreYou#Authenticity #SelfAwareness #Adoption#ConsciousLiving #Individuality #ThinkForYourself
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  When Life Changes in an Instant 26.05.2026 1h 12min

  Ken Kunken’s life changed forever after a football injury left him quadriplegic at 20 years old. What followed was not surrender, but a decision to keep building a meaningful life anyway.What happens when the life you planned disappears in an instant?In this deeply human conversation, Kevin sits down with Ken Kunken to talk about resilience, identity, adversity, and what it means to keep expanding your life even after devastating change.After a football injury at Cornell University left him quadriplegic, Ken could have allowed his world to shrink. Instead, he returned to school, earned advanced degrees, built a distinguished legal career, became a husband and father, and chose a life grounded in purpose rather than limitation.This episode is not about motivational clichés. It is about mindset, perspective, family, and the quiet decision to keep living fully when life reroutes your plans.Key TakeawaysLife can change instantly, without warning.Identity does not have to disappear when circumstances change.Family support can shape resilience in profound ways.Meaning often grows in the middle of adversity.Expanding your life sometimes begins with refusing to mentally shrink it.Guest BioKen Kunken is a former Cornell football player, attorney, author, and motivational speaker. After sustaining a spinal cord injury at age 20 that left him quadriplegic, Ken returned to Cornell to finish his degree before later earning graduate degrees and a law degree from Hofstra University. He spent more than 40 years serving in the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office and is the author of I Dream of Things That Never Were: The Ken Kunken Story.Connect with Ken KunkenAuthor of I Dream of Things That Never WereWebsite: https://kenkunken.comBook: https://kenkunken.com/book/Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ken-Kun...LinkedIn: @kenneth-kunken-599b2825Instagram: @kenkunkenConnect with KevinX: @kevinspeaks2uLinkedIn: @kevinmcnultyspeaksFacebook: @kevinrichardmcnultyInstagram: @kevinmcnultyspeakshttps://linktr.ee/kevinmcnulty
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  What Happens When Young Boys Grow Up Without Direction 20.05.2026 57min

  Young people are not born angry, hateful, violent, or lost. Much of what we become is learned through environment, example, culture, and the people who shape us along the way.In this powerful conversation, Marcus Meneese, founder of Stronger Than My Father Youth and Family Service, Inc., shares what he has learned from years of mentoring young men growing up without present fathers and consistent guidance.Marcus and Kevin McNulty explore fatherlessness, identity, accountability, learned behavior, mentorship, resilience, and the critical role that presence and direction play in shaping the next generation.This is not a political conversation. It is a human conversation about influence, responsibility, and the lives that can change when someone finally shows up.Key TakeawaysYoung people absorb behavior long before they understand consequencesHate, violence, and destructive patterns are often learned behaviorsMentorship and consistent presence can change life trajectoriesAccountability without relationship rarely worksYoung men need vision, structure, and purposeIdentity is shaped by environment, example, and influenceBreaking cycles starts with awareness and responsibilityGuest BioMarcus Meneese is the founder and Executive Director of Stronger Than My Father Youth and Family Service, Inc., a Nashville-based nonprofit focused on mentoring and supporting young men growing up without present fathers. Since 2013, Marcus has worked to help youth build resilience, accountability, purpose, and direction through mentorship and transformative support.Connect with Marcus MeneeseWebsite: https://strongerthanmyfather.org/Phone: 615-852-1638LinkedIn:   / marcusmeneese  Connect with Kevin McNultyX: @kevinspeaks2uLinkedIn: Kevin McNulty LinkedInFacebook: Kevin McNulty FacebookInstagram: @kevinmcnultyspeaksLinkTree: Kevin McNulty LinkTree#growyourselfpodcast #MarcusMeneese #strongerthanmyfather #mentorship #personalgrowth #leadership #youthdevelopment #identity #purposedriven #breakingthecycle #selfdevelopment #nashville #faith
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  Why Some People Break… And Others Rebuild 13.05.2026 1h 13min

  What makes the difference between a person who collapses under pressure… and a person who rebuilds?At 28 years old, Dan McQueen’s life changed in an instant.A healthy, active young professional living in London suddenly found himself facing emergency brain surgery, a catastrophic brain hemorrhage, weeks in a coma, and months of rehabilitation learning how to walk, talk, and rebuild his identity.But this conversation is about far more than survival.It’s about...Mindset.Identity.Resilience.Acceptance.Fear.Hope.And the small decisions that slowly rebuild a human life.Dan shares the practical mental frameworks that carried him through unimaginable adversity, including one principle that may completely change the way you approach struggle:“Aim small, miss small, and ratchet.”This is one of the most honest and powerful conversations we’ve had on Grow Yourself.Watch here: https://youtu.be/QApYidlv2N0#GrowYourself #Resilience #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #MentalStrength #Transformation #Motivation #Leadership #DanMcQueen #SelfDevelopment
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  You Did Everything Right…So Why Do You Still Feel Empty? 01.05.2026 39min

  The career. The money. The progress. From the outside, it looks like success.So why does something still feel…off?In this conversation, Kevin sits down with Alan Lazaros to unpack the gap between outward success and inward fulfillment. After a near-fatal car accident forced him to question everything, Alan shifted from chasing achievement to understanding what actually creates a meaningful, aligned life.They get into why so many high performers feel stuck or empty, how blind spots and lack of self-awareness hold people back, and why real growth isn’t about grinding harder—it’s about becoming more honest about who you are and how you’re living.This isn’t about motivation.It’s about alignment, responsibility, and the small daily choices that quietly shape your life.If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the right things but still not where you want to be…this one will hit.GUEST BIO:Alan Lazaros is the Founder and CEO of Next Level University, a global podcast and coaching platform focused on helping people grow in health, wealth, and love. After a near-fatal car accident in his mid-20s, he shifted from chasing external success to pursuing internal alignment, and now works with individuals and teams on self-awareness, habits, and long-term personal growth.Connect with Alan Lazaros:Website: https://www.nextleveluniverse.comYouTube:    / @nextleveluniversity  LinkedIn:   / alanlazarosllc  Instagram:   / alazaros88  Facebook:   / alan.lazaros  Connect with Kevin McNulty:X: https://x.com/kevinspeaks2uLinkedIn:   / kevinmcnultyspeaks  Facebook:   / kevinrichardmcnulty  Instagram:   / kevinmcnultyspeaks  LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/kevinmcnulty#PersonalGrowth #SelfAwareness #Fulfillment #HighPerformance#MindsetShift #HumanDynamics #InnerWork #SuccessMindset #GrowthMindset #KevinMcNulty #GrowYourself
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  High Performers are Burning Out: She Knows Why 17.04.2026 1h 6min

  Life coach Zerina Derveni joins Kevin to expose the hidden cost of high performance and why emotional regulation isn't about slowing down. It's about finally leading from a place of clarity, not pressure.EPISODE DESCRIPTIONMost high achievers look successful on the outside. But underneath, many are running on vigilance, suppression, and chronic self-override. The result isn't sustainable ambition. It's burnout.In this episode, Kevin sits down with life coach Zerina Derveni to explore what's actually driving high-functioning professionals into the ground and what it looks like to perform from a regulated, purpose-led place instead.Zerina grew up between Albania, Germany, and Canada, navigating multiple cultures and identities from a young age. She climbed the corporate ladder, hit every external milestone, and still felt empty. That reckoning led her to coaching, where she now helps high-functioning individuals untangle ambition from anxiety and build lives grounded in contribution rather than significance-seeking.This conversation covers emotional regulation, the difference between being performative and being skilled, how suppressed emotions show up in the body and in relationships, and why clarity about purpose is the only sustainable fuel for driven people.Kevin also shares a pivotal moment from his own transition out of the military when one reframe, moving from "why is this happening to me" to "what is being asked of me," changed everything.This episode will stay with you.Key TakeawaysEmotional regulation increases power, not weaknessSuppression is not controlHigh performers often operate from a performative tateBurnout is often misalignment, not lack of effortClarity comes from engagement, not thinkingFollow what you’re good at, not just passionValues act as a decision-making compassObserve more, absorb lessGUEST BIOZerina Derveni is a life coach based in Toronto, Canada, who works with high-functioning professionals navigating burnout, identity, and purpose. Born in Albania and raised across Europe and North America, Zerina developed an early understanding of emotional intelligence through the experience of adapting to multiple cultures. After climbing the corporate ladder and reaching every external milestone, she found herself feeling empty, a turning point that led her to a Tony Robbins intensive and ultimately into coaching. Her work focuses on helping driven individuals distinguish between performing for external validation and operating from a grounded, regulated sense of self. She is known for her results-focused approach, her clarity on the emotional roots of burnout, and her ability to help high achievers finally lead from the inside out.Connect with Zerina DerveniWebsite: https://zerinalifecoach.comInstagram: @zerinalifecoachConnect with Kevin McNultyX: @kevinspeaks2uLinkedIn: @kevinmcnultyspeaksFacebook: @kevinrichardmcnultyInstagram: @kevinmcnultyspeaksLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/kevinmcnultySocial Post (LinkedIn/Facebook)#personaldevelopment #emotionalintelligence #burnout #highperformance #selfawareness #growth #mindset #purpose #podcast #growyourselfpodcast
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  After the Fall | Turning Job Loss Into Purpose 10.04.2026 50min

  What happens when everything you built suddenly disappears?In this episode of Grow Yourself, Kevin sits down with Merry Korn, a social entrepreneur who went from being fired as a single mother to building and selling a mission-driven company employing over 1,300 people across 30 states. This conversation explores what really happens after a major life disruption—when identity, security, and direction all feel uncertain.Merry shares how fear became a guide rather than an obstacle, how purpose is discovered through action rather than clarity, and how faith, intuition, and quiet moments of listening can shape the path forward. This is not a conversation about motivation. It’s about what to do when you feel lost—and how to take the next step anyway.Key Takeaways• Getting fired can be an inflection point, not the end of the story• Fear can act as a compass rather than a signal to stop• You don’t need clarity to move forward—action creates direction• Purpose is revealed through doing, not thinking• Faith and intuition often show up in subtle, quiet ways• Helping others can unlock your own path forward• You can build a successful business around a meaningful missionGuest BioMerry Korn is a social entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Pearl Interactive Network, a mission-driven company she grew to more than 1,300 employees across 30 states before successfully exiting the business. After being fired as a single mother, Merry rebuilt her career by creating a for-profit social enterprise that prioritized hiring people facing significant barriers to work. She is currently completing her forthcoming book Get Fired, which explores how professional loss can become the starting point for purpose, courage, and meaningful reinvention.Connect with Merry KornWebsite: https://firedtoinspired.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merry-kornConnect with Kevin McNultyX: https://x.com/kevinspeaks2uLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmcnultyspeaksFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevinrichardmcnultyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinmcnultyspeaksLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/kevinmcnulty#PersonalGrowth #careertransition #purpose #entrepreneurship #resilience #mindset #leadership #growyourselfpodcast
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  Who Are You…Really? | Identity, Purpose, and Why People Stay Stuck 02.04.2026 1h 4min

  What if the real question isn’t “What’s my purpose?” but something deeper… Who am I, really?In this episode of Grow Yourself, Kevin explores identity, self awareness, and the hidden reasons people feel stuck. This conversation digs beneath goals and surface-level motivation to uncover what truly drives a meaningful life.You’ll hear why so many people struggle to answer the question of who they are, how identity shapes purpose, and why feeling trapped is often the root of unhappiness. This episode also touches on resilience, parenting, and how understanding yourself changes everything.If you’ve ever felt like there’s “got to be more,” this one will hit.Key takeaways• Purpose flows out of identity, not the other way around• Feeling trapped is one of the biggest drivers of unhappiness• Self awareness creates direction and better decisions• The people around you shape who you become• Parents play a critical role in helping kids discover who they are• Real resilience is returning to who you truly areGuest bioDavid Ask is an entrepreneur, creative, and coach based outside Nashville. He has built products sold in thousands of retail stores, works in coaching and resiliency development, and is the author of an upcoming book focused on identity and fatherhood, The Guardians of Grit. He is also a musician and recording artist.Connect with David AskWebsite: https://davidaskmusic.comInstagram: @thedavidaskLinkedIn: @thedavidaskConnect with Kevin McNultyX: @kevinspeaks2uLinkedIn: @kevinmcnultyspeaksFacebook: @kevinrichardmcnultyInstagram: @kevinmcnultyspeaksLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/kevinmcnulty#GrowYourselfPodcast #kevinmcnulty #identity #purpose #SelfAwareness #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #HumanDevelopment #lifedirection
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  He Died for 8 Minutes. He Rebuilt His Life 30 Seconds at a Time. 26.03.2026 1h 7min

  After surviving sudden cardiac arrest, Jeff Luther lost his health, his marriage, and his identity. What brought him back wasn't a breakthrough. It was 30 seconds of work.What happens when the life you built collapses all at once, and the only path forward is a single, terrifying step?Jeff Luther was a competitive athlete and entrepreneur who collapsed during a CrossFit workout with his son on June 12, 2021. His heart stopped for eight minutes. He was shocked three times before it restarted. What followed wasn't a triumphant comeback story. It was a slow, painful reckoning with fear, identity loss, divorce, and what it means to rebuild when you've lost the will to try.In this conversation, Jeff shares the philosophy that saved him: transformation happens 30 seconds at a time. Not in sweeping declarations or big moments. In small, deliberate acts of showing up when everything in you wants to quit.Kevin and Jeff go deep on the fear that outlasts physical recovery, the ego's role in our darkest moments, why gratitude is a paradigm and not just a practice, and what it truly means to start over.Jeff is currently completing his forthcoming book, Lessons I Learned from Dying, and hosts the All Can, No Can't podcast.KEY TAKEAWAYSThe dying was easy. What came after was the real fight.Transformation doesn't require a grand gesture. It requires 30 seconds.Gratitude and victimhood cannot occupy the same mental space at the same time.Comparison is a joy thief, whether you're comparing to your old self, others, or your future self.The ego falls further and faster than you do. Lock it in the basement before it takes you down with it.High performers often deny themselves human connection at their most vulnerable moments, to keep up the appearance of having it together.Celebrate where you are. There is no road. There is only the next 30 seconds.GUEST BIOJeff Luther is an entrepreneur, speaker, and personal development coach based in Charleston, South Carolina. In 2021, Jeff survived sudden cardiac arrest during a workout with his son, a near-death experience that led to the collapse of his marriage, the loss of his athletic identity, and a complete rebuild of his life from the inside out. His core philosophy, that transformation happens 30 seconds at a time, grew directly from his recovery. Jeff is the host of the All Can, No Can't podcast and is completing his first book, Lessons I Learned from Dying, a chapter-by-chapter guide to holding hands with fear and walking it all the way to the end.CONNECT WITH JEFF LUTHERInstagram: @allcan_nocant and @jdluther2.0LinkedIn:   / jeff-luther  Podcast: All Can, No Can't (YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts)Book (forthcoming): Lessons I Learned from DyingCONNECT WITH KEVINhttps://linktr.ee/kevinmcnulty#growyourselfpodcast #personaldevelopment #resilience #transformation #suddencardiacarrest #lifeaftertrauma #mindsetshift #fearandcourage #IdentityAndChange #rebuildinglife #JeffLuther #kevinmcnulty #podcast #growthmindset