Happy Healthy Human

In this enlightening episode, host Paul Levitin delves into how ancient wisdom, from Stoicism to Buddhism, remains relevant in our modern, technology-driven world. He discusses the universal human struggles transcending time and culture, emphasizing the importance of consistent personal growth and inner work.

Key Highlights:

1. Modern Problems, Timeless Human Nature [00:00 - 03:00]: Paul explores how contemporary issues like smartphone addiction stem from age-old human tendencies like seeking pleasure and avoiding pain.

2. Impact of Influential Books [03:01 - 06:00]: Reflections on books like "Think and Grow Rich" and "Atomic Habits," and their role in personal development.

3. Personal Development Through Various Mediums [06:01 - 09:00]: The accessibility of personal growth through books, podcasts, and social media, and Paul's personal approach to continuous learning.

4. Ancient Wisdom in a Modern Context [09:01 - 12:00]: A look at how ancient philosophies, from Greek Stoicism to Chinese Confucianism, address universal human experiences and dilemmas.

5. Buddhism's Influence on Personal Growth [12:01 - 15:00]: Paul shares his journey of discovering Buddhism and its profound impact on his understanding of happiness and fulfillment.

6. Chop Wood, Carry Water: Deeper Meanings [15:01 - 18:00]: An exploration of the ancient Buddhist proverb, revealing multiple interpretations and applications to modern life.

Closing Thoughts: The timeless nature of human challenges and the need for internal work, regardless of external success or technological advancements.

Support the Show:

• Share this episode to inspire others in their personal growth journey.
• Leave a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, or your preferred platform.

Paul Levitin is joined by Dr. Benjamin Ritter, a leadership and career coach. They explore the profound impact of aligning personal values with life choices, both in professional and personal spheres. Dr. Ritter shares practical strategies for overcoming emotional barriers and living authentically.

Key Highlights:

1. Introduction to Living for Yourself [00:00 - 04:00]: Dr. Ritter discusses the importance of understanding and living according to one's values and not just societal expectations or for others' approval.

2. Confronting Limiting Beliefs [04:01 - 08:00]: Addressing how past experiences shape limiting beliefs and the transformational power of aligning these beliefs with one's core values.

3. Navigating Emotional Challenges [08:01 - 12:00]: Techniques for overcoming fear and emotional blocks that hinder progress, emphasizing the power of visualization and mindset shifts.

4. The Three C’s of Self-Leadership [12:01 - 16:00]: Exploring Clarity, Confidence, and Control as pivotal elements for achieving success in various life aspects.

5. Identifying Personal Values [16:01 - 20:00]: Dr. Ritter guides listeners through an exercise to discover their core values, using personal experiences as a compass.

6. Aspirational Values vs. Reality [20:01 - 24:00]: A discussion on the authenticity of declared values versus actual lifestyle choices, and how alignment or discrepancy affects one's sense of fulfillment.

Closing Thoughts: The significance of understanding and living in harmony with personal values for a happier, healthier life.

Support the Show:

• Share this episode to inspire others in their journey towards authentic living.
• Leave a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform.

In this episode, host Paul Levitin interviews Nick Hutchinson, the visionary behind Book Thinkers, a seven-figure marketing agency that connects authors and readers. The conversation dives deep into the transformative power of reading, the journey from being a non-reader to an avid one, and practical strategies for making the most out of reading.

Key Highlights:

1. Introduction to Nick Hutchinson and the Impact of Reading [00:00:10 - 00:02:00]: Paul introduces Nick Hutchinson and discusses how reading books and listening to podcasts can profoundly change one’s life.

2. Nick’s Journey from Non-Reader to Influential Reader [00:02:01 - 00:04:30]: Nick shares his personal story of how he transitioned from a non-reader to someone who finds immense value in books, particularly in personal development.

3. The Importance of Choosing the Right Books and Implementation [00:04:31 - 00:07:00]: Discussion on selecting books that resonate with your current life challenges and the significance of implementing the lessons learned from these books.

4. Insights on Audiobooks vs. Physical Reading [00:07:01 - 00:09:00]: Paul and Nick discuss the effectiveness of audiobooks compared to traditional reading and how each format suits different lifestyles and learning preferences.

5. Nick’s Recommendations on Must-Read Books [00:09:01 - 00:11:00]: Nick recommends a few impactful books that have greatly influenced him, including new releases and perennial favorites.

6. Action Steps for Living a Happier, Healthier Life [00:11:01 - 00:13:30]: Nick offers practical advice on immediate actions listeners can take to enhance their well-being, focusing on the power of gratitude.

Closing Thoughts: The episode wraps up with a reminder of the ongoing giveaway of Nick's book, "Rise of the Reader," and encourages listeners to participate for a chance to win.

Support the Show:

• Share the episode to spread the love for reading.
• Participate in the book giveaway to start a journey of impactful reading and personal growth.

Everything has a cost, whether seen or not. While convenience seems inexpensive, it actually has very high hidden costs that we pay through money, health, or the environment. Paying attention to all costs, not just the visible ones, is important to make informed choices.

Dom Fusco is a health and wellness creator, Co-Founder of Upspace, and Host of the Pure Ambition podcast. His mission in life is to inspire and empower 100 million people to become the healthiest, happiest versions of themselves.

This podcast was recorded 3 weeks to the day after a major health event that had Dom nearly lose his life, and forced him to undergo major surgery to be able to live. 

Christopher Maher is a former Navy SEAL, as well as writer, coach, entrepreneur and musician.

Christopher endured intense physical, mental, and emotional stress as a child, which led him to his journey towards developing the mental and physical tools for eliminating his unresolved stress.

By combining a “seal mindset” with modern stress management strategies, Christopher taught himself to free his body and mind from generational trauma and pain. 

Christopher has studied Traditional Chinese Medical Practices and is currently pursuing his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Dr Lisa lewis is a licensed psychologist, certified additions counselor, and lover of all things strength and fitness. 

Dr Lewis uses her unique skills to blend the mental and physical realms of health and wellbeing. A mom, a wife, and entrepreneur, speaker, teacher, and coach, Dr Lewis epitomizes leading by example. 

Check out Steph's podcast:

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Lizzie Merritt is a Certified Life Coach and professional weight loss coach, specializing in helping her clients figure out why they don’t do the things they think they *should* do in order to lose weight and feel happy.

She believes that diets are just the worst; because the only way to lose weight IS imperfectly; and that weight loss is much more about what’s between your ears than what’s on your plate.

Sales are everywhere.

Not just business, but life. If you can sell yourself, you can succeed.

Sarah Rose Cavanagh is the Senior Associate Director for Teaching and Learning at Simmons University in Boston, where she also teaches in the Psychology Department. She researches the intersections of emotion, motivation, learning, and quality of life. She is the author of four well-received books on psychology, including the most recent Mind Over Monsters: Supporting Youth Mental Health with Compassionate Challenge, published this past spring.

Billy Lahr spent 21 years as an educator but became disenfranchised the last half due to budding mental health concerns and a lack of job satisfaction.  In 2021, Billy left his job as dean of students in order to travel the world in search of more meaningful life experiences.  Since then, he’s been focused on teaching others how to navigate their own midlife crisis with more curiosity, openness, compassion, and awareness through the use of mindfulness meditation as well as practical and intentional daily routines that focus on consistency and discipline through his introductory Reflect–Learn–Grow mindfulness program.  

Karey Spransy knows what it's like to feel overwhelmed, unworthy, and knocked down by life. Her experiences as a single teen mother, losing two loved ones to suicide, going through two divorces, and battling stage IV colon cancer taught her how to use setbacks as springboards and turn failure into fuel. Through her coaching programs, Karey teaches you to see that life is always happening for you and that you are a superhero because of what you've been through. She will help you believe that you are worthy of a life you love and you always have been.

Terance Dawkins is a Licensed Independent Social Worker-Clinical Practice (LISW-CP) from Spartanburg,  South Carolina. He currently works in a university counseling center and owns his own private counseling practice called Missing Pieces Counseling Services. Terance seeks to destigmatize mental health issues and help his clients improve their mental health through engaging workshops, one on one therapy, as well as using social media to provide awareness on mental health issues. 

Terance loves to speak about intergenerational trauma, and how the teachings and beliefs we are raised with impact our behaviors, decisions, relationships, and perceptions of ourselves. These powerful concepts affect every human on this planet, so I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation.