What if a few simple reminders could change the way you move through life—especially when things feel uncertain or overwhelming? In this episode of Strategies for Living, Dr. David McMillian and psychotherapist Lauren Leon McMillian explore “sticky notes for the soul”—short, powerful truths we all need to remember before life gets any harder. Drawing inspiration from Marc and Angel and weaving in psychology, spirituality, gratitude, patience, and presence, this conversation offers practical wisdom for cultivating inner peace, letting go of what you can’t control, and staying grounded through change. A timely, heartfelt episode about resilience, mindset, and choosing calm in the present moment.

Original Airdate: 1/28/2026

What’s a book that didn’t just entertain you—but changed you?

In this episode of Strategies for Living, Dr. David McMillian and psychotherapist Lauren Leon McMillian explore books everyone should read at least once in their lifetime—and why some are worth returning to again and again. From Man’s Search for Meaning and The Road Less Traveled to The Alchemist, The Four Agreements, Atomic Habits, and Meditations, they discuss how great books shape our thinking, expand consciousness, and help us navigate life with greater clarity and purpose.

Blending psychology, philosophy, spirituality, and fiction, this conversation highlights how reading can shift worldviews, deepen self-understanding, and offer guidance during life’s crossroads. Whether you’re an avid reader or someone who’s struggled to connect with books, this episode invites you to rediscover the transformative power of the written word.

Original Airdate: 1/27/2026

What really defines a cult—and why are so many of us drawn to them?

In this eye-opening episode of Strategies for Living, we’re joined by cult survivor, U.S. Army veteran, and organizational psychologist Daniella Mestyanek Young, author of The Culting of America. Daniella challenges the myth that cults only exist on the fringe, revealing how high-control group dynamics show up in families, corporations, religious spaces, fitness communities, politics, and even the military.

Together, we explore cult tactics like groupthink, isolation, performative regulation, self-sacrifice, and missionizing—and how these patterns quietly shape identity, behavior, and belonging. This conversation offers powerful insight for anyone seeking awareness, autonomy, and healthier ways to engage with groups without losing themselves.

If you’ve ever wondered why leaving certain groups feels so hard—or how to recognize toxic dynamics before they take hold—this episode is essential listening.

Original Airdate: 1/26/2026

As 2026 begins, many are feeling fear, isolation, and uncertainty—driven by rapid technological change, artificial intelligence, and lingering effects of the pandemic. In this powerful episode of Strategies for Living, Dr. David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian are joined by life strategist Dr. Stacie Slabaugh of the Balanced Life Wellness Center for an honest conversation about AI, mental health, social anxiety, and the growing loneliness epidemic.

Together, they explore how technology can be both a tool and a trap, why human connection is essential for emotional and physical well-being, and how practices like biofield tuning, energy work, and embodied healing can help us reconnect—to ourselves, to others, and to the divine within. This episode offers grounded hope, practical wisdom, and a reminder that love, presence, and community are still the medicine our world needs most.

Find Stacie at www.thebalancedlife.us

Original Airdate: 1/22/2026

What if the key to nervous system regulation isn’t something new—but something we’ve forgotten? In this episode of Strategies for Living, Dr. David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian explore the quiet wisdom our grandmothers and ancestors lived by instinctively. From natural rhythms, screen-free repetition, and mindful eating to rest without guilt and connection without performance, this conversation reframes modern stress through an ancestral lens. Discover how simple, rhythmic living once supported calm, resilience, and healing—and how we can reclaim those practices in a dysregulated, overstimulated world.

Original Airdate: 1/15/2026

What does real grit actually look like in everyday life? In this episode of Strategies for Living, Dr. David McMillian and psychotherapist Lauren Leon McMillian explore the art of real grit—not as toughness or endurance, but as resilience rooted in self-understanding, self-acceptance, and trust.

Drawing inspiration from recent psychology insights, the conversation reframes grit as a mindset anyone can cultivate. Together, they unpack the habits naturally gritty people practice daily: emotional awareness without dwelling, accountability without blame, embracing life’s unpredictability, practicing self-compassion, and asking for help when needed.

This thoughtful, grounded discussion offers practical wisdom for navigating life’s challenges with clarity, curiosity, and inner strength—reminding us that grit isn’t about becoming harder, but becoming truer.

Original Airdate: 1/14/2026

In this episode of Strategies for Living, Dr. David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian welcome Demitrius Brown, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at LSU Shreveport, to explore the inaugural MENtality Workshop: Mental Wealth. Together, they discuss why mental health, resilience, and emotional well-being are essential foundations for personal and community growth—especially for men.

The conversation highlights practical strategies for building mental wealth, the power of resilience before crisis hits, deep listening through healing circles rooted in indigenous traditions, and how communities can move from conflict toward connection. Listeners will also learn how LSU Shreveport is creating accessible, community-wide opportunities for learning, healing, and lifelong growth.

This episode is a timely and hopeful exploration of mental health, leadership, and the inner work needed to thrive in uncertain times.

Sign Up Here: https://www.ce.lsus.edu/courseDisplay.cfm?schID=2028

Original Airdate: 1/13/2026

What does it truly mean to know yourself—and why is it so hard to do?

In today’s episode of Strategies for Living, we’re joined by University of Chicago professor and life strategist J. Eric Oliver, author of How to Know Yourself: The Art and Science of Discovering Who You Really Are. Together, we explore the hidden illusions that keep us stuck, including the “Gold Star” myth of success, the stories we live by but didn’t write, and the mistaken belief that the self is fixed rather than dynamic.

This powerful conversation weaves psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and lived experience to help you better understand consciousness, identity, emotional patterns, and what it really takes to live with greater clarity, balance, and inner freedom. If you’ve ever felt like something invisible is holding you back, this episode offers a courageous and compassionate path forward.

🎧 A must-listen for anyone seeking self-knowledge, personal growth, and a more authentic way of living.

Original Airdate: 1/8/2026