Why does modern life leave so many people feeling empty?

In this episode, I speak with Mike Glover, a former Green Beret and CIA contractor.

We explore why comfort, instant gratification, and modern convenience may be making people feel more lost, disconnected, and unfulfilled.

We talk about purpose, discipline, self-reliance, and why many people don’t change until they’re faced with crisis, regret, or mortality.

This episode will challenge the way you think about comfort and what it takes to build a meaningful life.

Mike Glover is a former Green Beret and CIA contractor, and founder of Fieldcraft Survival.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:25) Comfort Breeds Complacency

(01:24) Outsourced Self-Reliance

(03:00) Instant Gratification Trap

(04:53) Mortality And Discomfort

(06:26) Back To Basics Purpose

(07:43) Quitting Alcohol And Self-Love

(12:15) Groupthink And Peer Pressure

(15:16) Adversity Builds Purpose

(17:14) Money Status And Grind Culture

(20:37) Midlife Crisis Programming

(24:27) Faith, Family And Foundation

(28:03) Family Over Identity

(30:22) Meaning Without Religion

(30:27) Stoicism as Structure

(31:52) Why We Need Foundations

(33:42) Rebellion and Trauma

(34:30) Operators Master Basics

(36:34) Social Media and Shortcuts

(37:23) The 10,000 Hour Reality

(41:26) Failure Builds Growth

(43:05) Ten Year Bible Plan

(45:30) Instant Gratification Trap

(49:01) Marbles and Priorities

(53:22) Military Path and Discipline

(56:49) Be Present and Final Thoughts

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: contact@nickbracks.com

Connect with Mike:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mike.a.glover/

Website: https://mikegloveractual.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would you do if you were told you might never walk again?

In this episode, I speak with Jason Cooper, a former high school athlete chasing his dream of playing college football...until a car crash in 2019 left him paralyzed from the neck down. We explore what goes through your mind when everything changes overnight - your identity, your future, and the life you thought you were meant to live.

Jason shares the moment he hit rock bottom in a hospital room, the decision that changed everything, and how he began rebuilding his life step by step, mentally and physically.

Today, he walks with the help of crutches, trains relentlessly, and is pushing himself to new limits, proving what’s possible when you refuse to accept your limitations.

If you’ve ever felt lost, stuck, or unsure if you’re still on the right path, this conversation will change how you see your life.

Jason Cooper is an athlete, personal trainer, and speaker who is now pushing to set records as a paraplegic athlete.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction: Paralyzed Overnight

(00:23) Meet Jason Cooper

(01:15) The Car Crash Story

(03:21) Fear And Growth

(05:07) Rehab Mindset Shift

(08:18) Doctors Prognosis

(09:45) Faith And Training

(12:59) Purpose And Fatherhood

(16:52) No Losses, Just Lessons

(20:35) Greatness Takes Time

(21:42) Relentless Work Ethic

(24:03) Family Motivation

(25:42) Mobility Comeback

(26:51) Ignoring the Haters

(27:21) Compete With Yourself

(28:21) Consistency and Accountability

(28:48) Rock Bottom to Faith

(30:13) Obsessed With the Craft

(32:04) Process Over Popularity

(33:19) Mind Over Body

(36:05) Athletes and Mental Health

(39:36) Time Is Precious

(41:29) Disability and Independence

(43:37) No Regrets After the Car Crash

(45:55) Recovery Progress Update

(49:08) Where to Find Jason

(49:45) Advice and What Happiness Means

(51:28) Final Thanks

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: contact@nickbracks.com

Connect with Jason:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coop.__13

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do you keep choosing the wrong people?

In this episode, I speak with Jessica Baum, a psychotherapist, relationship coach, and author of Anxiously Attached.

We explore why you keep choosing the wrong people and what that reveals about your deeper relationship patterns.

We unpack how early experiences shape who you’re drawn to, why unhealthy relationships feel familiar, and why you keep repeating the same patterns, even when you want something different.

This episode will change how you understand attraction, intimacy, and the patterns that keep you stuck.

Jessica Baum is a psychotherapist and relationship coach specializing in attachment, trauma, and building secure, healthy relationships.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction: Why We Crave Unhealthy Love

(00:34) Implicit Memory and Familiar Trauma

(02:16) Nervous System and Attachment Reactions

(05:14) Healing With Secure Anchors

(06:39) Intensity Versus Safety in Love

(12:13) Beyond Codependency to Interdependence

(16:00) Healing Alone Myth and Support

(20:04) After Trauma Rebuilding Trust

(23:16) Modern Dating Apps and Choice Overload

(25:23) Kids Marriage and Conscious Choices

(29:39) Jessica Baum Origin Story

(30:18) Therapy Path and Attachment

(32:40) Healing as a Clinician

(34:06) Hospitalized Anxiety Story

(36:21) Books That Saved Her

(38:04) Purpose Behind Writing

(39:14) Safe Book Breakdown

(41:38) No Quick Fix Healing

(43:51) Life Beyond Relationships

(45:18) First Steps to Start

(47:04) Workaholism and Balance

(51:24) Advice to Younger Self

(53:08) What Happiness Means

(55:02) Final Thanks and Outro

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: contact@nickbracks.com

Connect with Jessica:

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

Website: https://jessicabaumlmhc.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are so many men struggling in silence?

In this episode, I speak with George from The Tin Men, a writer and advocate focused on the hidden realities of men’s mental health.

We discuss why suicide is the biggest risk to men under 50, what society keeps getting wrong about men’s struggles, and why “just talking about it” isn’t enough.

We explore the structural issues that can leave men feeling trapped, unheard, and hopeless - from relationship breakdown and abuse to shame, purpose, and the lack of support.

George is the creator of The Tin Men, a platform dedicated to highlighting the overlooked issues affecting men and boys.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction - Men Under 50 Suicide Risk

(00:30) Beyond Just Talking

(01:38) Structural Disadvantages List

(03:28) Finland’s Suicide Blueprint

(06:02) Why Governments Don’t Act

(07:51) Politics And Vote Incentives

(11:30) Psychache And External Triggers

(15:27) Relationship Breakdown Statistics

(17:19) Coping Mechanisms And Self Harm

(19:11) Why Men Die More Often

(23:38) Provider Pressure And Meaning

(25:37) Male Victims Of Domestic Abuse

(28:35) Psychological Abuse And Control

(30:26) Parental Alienation Mention

(30:40) Parental Alienation Debate

(32:03) Joint Custody Changes

(33:48) Custody Trauma and Suicide

(36:04) Dads as Role Models

(38:43) Myths About Crying

(41:50) Help Over Slogans

(44:45) Therapy That Works for Men

(49:24) Grassroots Mens Support

(51:49) Empathy for Addiction and Pain

(55:28) Wrap Up and Advice

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: contact@nickbracks.com

Connect with George:

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

Website: https://thetinmen.blog/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do people stay in abusive relationships?

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Peter Salerno, a psychologist and expert in trauma and abusive relationships.

We explore what happens psychologically when someone is being abused - from the early signs to the long-term effects on the mind and nervous system.

We talk about cognitive dissonance, manipulation tactics like gaslighting and love bombing, and why people can feel trapped even when they know something is wrong.

This episode will change how you understand abusive relationships and the people who experience them.

Dr. Peter Salerno is a psychologist specializing in trauma, personality disorders, and recovery from abusive relationships.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro - Signs of Abuse

(00:48) Confusion and Dissonance

(01:30) Nervous System Freeze

(03:26) Intuition Versus Gaslighting

(06:00) Manipulation Tactics

(08:23) Intentional Abuse Explained

(12:28) Psychopathy and Empathy

(17:15) Who Gets Targeted

(20:39) Why Leaving Feels Impossible

(22:49) Beyond Romance and Long Term Healing

(29:24) Finding Meaning After Trauma

(31:14) Shame During Grad School

(32:22) When Professionals Invalidate

(35:18) Social Media Spreads Awareness

(39:07) Are Victims People Pleasers

(40:11) Psychopathy and Power

(45:39) Spotting Red Flags Early

(50:20) First Steps to Get Help

(53:39) Where to Learn More

(55:02) Advice and Happiness

(57:24) Final Thanks and Wrap Up

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: contact@nickbracks.com

Connect with Peter:

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

Website: https://www.drpetersalerno.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean when you feel lost in life?

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Adam Formal, a clinical psychologist who works with elite athletes and people dealing with burnout and addiction.

We explore why so many people feel lost and how small daily decisions can slowly pull you away from who you really are.

This episode will explain why you can feel lost in life and how to start changing it.

Dr. Adam Formal is a clinical psychologist based in NYC.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction To Feeling Lost

(00:27) Emotions Are Like Signals

(01:17) Going Through A Crisis

(03:19) Micro Choices Drift

(04:29) Money And Arrival Myth

(06:44) Intrinsic Motivation Wins

(11:34) The Tyranny Of Should

(12:45) Your Early Training

(14:42) Ego Versus Meaning

(19:32) Helping One Person

(22:36) Choice Over Reactivity

(24:39) Boredom And Reflection

(27:50) Is Life Meant To Be Hard?

(29:51) Meaningful Stretch Goals

(32:17) Expectations Versus Reality

(33:36) Micro Goals Over Outcomes

(35:10) Corporate Carrots And School

(36:24) Curiosity Driven Learning

(38:33) Workplace Intrinsic Fit

(40:28) Sports Motivation And Money

(43:03) Longevity Through Love

(44:58) Peace In Giving Your All

(48:21) First Steps When Lost

(51:05) Reverse Engineering Regret

(54:54) Closing Questions

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: contact@nickbracks.com

Connect with Adam:

Website: https://www.formaltherapy.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you know when you’re abandoning yourself? And why do so many of us stay in situations that slowly erode our sense of self?

In this episode, I’m joined by Sandra Silverman, an author who shares her journey of rebuilding her life after leaving a 27-year toxic relationship.

We talk about the cycle of toxic relationships, including gaslighting, love bombing, and self-blame, the role of past trauma in shaping our relationship patterns, and why learning to feel safe within yourself is essential before you can feel safe with someone else.

Sandra also shares what it takes to rebuild your sense of self after years of emotional pain, and why healing is a process that requires you to face, rather than avoid, your emotions.

This episode is about recognising where you may be abandoning yourself, and how choosing yourself can change everything.

Sandra Silverman is an author and podcast host who shares her experiences with toxic relationships, personal transformation, and self-worth. After leaving a 27-year relationship, she now helps others recognise unhealthy patterns and rebuild their lives from the inside out.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:24) Procedures And Validation

(02:53) Boundaries And Escalation

(03:39) Gaslighting Narcissist Cycle

(06:04) Why She Stayed for 27 Years

(07:20) Choosing Divorce And Books

(10:04) Healing Takes Time

(11:10) Vacation Exit And Divorce

(12:36) Acceptance And Empathy

(14:41) Past Trauma And Blame

(18:12) Safety In Relationships

(19:04) Feeling Safe Alone

(19:38) Stop Chasing Quick Fixes

(21:25) Sober Through The Pain

(22:22) Rebound To Roster

(24:05) Solo Reset And Coaching

(25:08) Daily Self Care Tools

(26:31) Cosmetic Work With Intention

(27:44) Social Media Beauty Pressure

(30:17) Advice For Young Women

(32:00) Purpose Through Books And Show

(33:55) Whats Next

(35:14) Advice To 18 Year Old Self

(35:53) Final Thanks

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: contact@nickbracks.com

Connect with Sandra:

Website: https://www.sandralenasilverman.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do we feel shame? Why does guilt hit so deeply? And why do some people seem to carry these emotions far more intensely than others?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Debra Lieberman — evolutionary psychologist, professor at the University of Miami, and Editor-in-Chief of Evolution and Human Behavior — to explore why humans evolved to feel shame and guilt, and what these emotions are actually trying to do.

We talk about the evolutionary purpose of shame, the difference between shame and guilt, why high-functioning people can be especially prone to self-criticism, how social media hijacks our need for social value, and why learning to value yourself changes everything.

This episode will help you change your life by changing how you deal with shame.

Dr. Debra Lieberman is an evolutionary psychologist whose research explores how evolution shaped the social mind, including emotions like shame, guilt, disgust, morality, kinship, sexuality, and cooperation.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:23) Meet Dr Deborah Lieberman

(01:05) Evolutionary Software Of Emotions

(02:42) Social Value And Gratitude

(05:55) Why Shame Shows Up

(08:45) Shame Versus Anger Leverage

(10:35) Locus Of Control Trap

(15:02) Social Media Hijacks Validation

(19:50) Using Social Media With Boundaries

(22:51) Stoicism Purpose In Struggle

(26:43) Mentorship Missing In Modern Life

(29:33) Finding Your Foxhole Friends

(31:58) Toxic Friendships And Loss Aversion

(33:35) Tribe Size Dating Math

(34:45) Why Breakups Hurt

(37:03) Fear And Relationship Pressure

(38:46) Needy Mindset To Self Worth

(41:43) Building Self Value Skills

(43:42) Shame Versus Guilt

(45:57) Reimagining Human Education

(50:55) Critical Thinking In AI Age

(55:08) Do We Need Relationships

(59:57) Life Stages And Meaning

(01:01:02) Advice Happiness And Next Steps

(01:04:09) Resources And Final Wrap

Connect with Nick:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks

Website: http://nickbracks.com

Email: contact@nickbracks.com

Connect with Debra:

Website: www.deblieberman.com

Articles: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=OhbXo2kAAAAJ&hl=en

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.