I am a men's coach, therapist, group facilitator, podcaster and author. My journey began five years ago when I was going through a separation. I found myself alone and in a shame spiral that our culture and society covertly exert on people due to the perceived "failure" of a marriage. Unfortunately, I personalized that message which led me to fall deeper into a hole, causing me to surround myself with people that did not serve me and engage in substance abuse. While seeking Therapy, I was not making the wholesale changes I needed.
As part of my experience with therapy, I realized that I am not alone in the challenges men my age experience (I separated at the age of 34/35). I realized I could be a voice for men like myself and offer support in this space. In the middle of the pandemic, I applied for a Master's degree in Psychology to become a therapist. This change was a significant shift for me as I worked in the corporate world as an engineer. Once I leaned into the space of supporting other men, I also started a podcast to normalize these difficult conversations and started a men's group a year later with the support of a friend.
I thought I was giving something back when I started the men's group. However, I quickly realized I was getting substantially more from the connections I built than I initially anticipated. It was also something I needed because I was going through another breakup.
At that point, I also realized that I had not taken the time to heal, and I was outsourcing my healing through romantic Relationships, substances, material acquisitions and superficial relationships. I decided to step away from the outgoing Lifestyle and started to focus on my healing which was another phase of evolution for me on my journey. Over the last year and a half, I have become mindful of the people I spend my time with. I have cleaned my lifestyle of substances, toxic environments and behaviours. I have focused on my Sleep, my health and my knowledge. I have improved my spiritual relationship with myself, which was lacking the most over the past five years. This is the best I have felt.
As part of my solitude journey and to find myself again, I also released a book encapsulating my journey, which I hope to share with others. My book is titled: The Pursuit of Self-Love.
Recent Content
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, host welcomes Alisa Gracheva, a licensed clinician, to discuss the intricate relationship between healing from Trauma and spirituality. Alisa shares in…
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, host welcomes Alisa Gracheva, a licensed clinician, to discuss the intricate relationship between healing from trauma and spirituality. Alisa shares insights from her professional experience working with veterans and others affected by PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, and substance abuse. The conversation delves into the subjective nature of trauma, the importance of taking personal responsibility for healing, and the role of resilience. Alisa also shares her own personal journey from growing up in the Soviet Union to overcoming substance abuse and an…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, Jonathan discusses his contentious work aimed at solving world problems, with a focus on vaccine safety, Cancer treatment, and alternative therapies. H…
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, Jonathan discusses his contentious work aimed at solving world problems, with a focus on vaccine safety, cancer treatment, and alternative therapies. He shares personal experiences, explains why he believes certain medical practices have failed, and offers insights into holistic and lesser-known treatment options like chlorine dioxide and urine therapy. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of inner conviction, staying grounded, and comprehensive research in the pursuit of truth. The conversation highlights the struggle against mainstream narrative…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Meri Wallace, a child and family therapist with over 30 years of experience, discusses the significance of building healthy connections between parents…
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Meri Wallace, a child and family therapist with over 30 years of experience, discusses the significance of building healthy connections between parents and children. Wallace, also an author of several parenting books, shares insights on understanding children's behaviour, the importance of communication, and the developmental issues that shape a child's actions. She emphasizes the value of empathy, setting boundaries, and encouraging curiosity while ensuring safety. Listeners will gain practical tips for improving their parenting skills and fost…
In this insightful episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Andy Brown, a former Scottish police officer with 30 years of service, mostly in the Highlands and Islands, delves into the intricacies of n…
In this insightful e…
In this insightful episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Andy Brown, a former Scottish police officer with 30 years of service, mostly in the Highlands and Islands, delves into the intricacies of negotiation and crisis management. Sharing valuable lessons from his extensive career, 15 years of which he served as a crisis and hostage negotiator, Andy discusses the importance of a negotiation mindset, active listening, honesty, and trust. He recounts tense moments from his career, including negotiating with terrorists and facilitating evacuations during the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. An…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Dr. Glenn Livingston shares his personal journey of overcoming food addiction and the struggles of shame associated with it. Glenn recounts his experie…
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Dr. Glenn Livingston shares his personal journey of overcoming food addiction and the struggles of shame associated with it. Glenn recounts his experience of being nearly 300 pounds and emotionally unfit to practice psychology effectively. He discusses how he overcame his addiction by understanding the neuroscience behind cravings, devising practical techniques to manage his impulses, and creating rational strategies to counteract them. Additionally, Glenn explains the importance of addressing organismic distress and the role of societal influen…
In this insightful episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, I welcome Panda Ludwig to discuss the often overlooked but critical topic of Burnout. The conversation covers the stigma surrounding burnout…
In this insightful e…
In this insightful episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, I welcome Panda Ludwig to discuss the often overlooked but critical topic of burnout. The conversation covers the stigma surrounding burnout, identifying early signs, and practical strategies for managing it. Panda shares her personal story of experiencing severe burnout and the journey back to health, emphasizing the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and understanding one's motivations. The episode provides valuable advice on maintaining a sustainable work-life balance, including tips on nutrition, hydration, sleep, and ex…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, host Phil welcomes Troy, an experienced Yoga teacher from Trinidad and Tobago, to discuss the intricacies of identity, labels, and spirituality. The co…
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, host Phil welcomes Troy, an experienced yoga teacher from Trinidad and Tobago, to discuss the intricacies of identity, labels, and spirituality. The conversation covers the consequences of attaching too strongly to societal labels and how this can lead to suffering. They dive into the concept of a higher power beyond religious structures and the importance of redefining one's beliefs. Troy shares his experiences with Meditation, religious teachings, especially his connection with Christ outside of organized religion, and the transformative power…
In this transformative episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Logan candidly shares his journey from the depths of sexual addiction to recovery and healing. He reflects on his double life filled wit…
In this transformati…
In this transformative episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Logan candidly shares his journey from the depths of sexual addiction to recovery and healing. He reflects on his double life filled with pornography, infidelity, and prostitution, and the intense effort required to overcome these behaviors. Logan emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, accountability, and the role of community support. Discussions include the normalization of sexual behaviors, the concept of powerlessness in addiction, and the societal impacts. Logan's faith in God and the integration of spiritual and practic…
In this enlightening episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, host Furkhan welcomes Dr. Dolores Fazzino, an accomplished nurse practitioner and medical intuitive. The conversation explores Dr. Fazzino…
In this enlightening…
In this enlightening episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, host Furkhan welcomes Dr. Dolores Fazzino, an accomplished nurse practitioner and medical intuitive. The conversation explores Dr. Fazzino's unique journey from aspiring concert clarinetist to healer, inspired by a miraculous event in her father's life. They delve deep into the intersection of Consciousness, energy healing, and modern healthcare, highlighting the profound impact of spiritual awakening. Key themes include the importance of self-compassion, trusting one's inner voice, and the transformative power of holistic healing p…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, listeners can dive into the multifaceted life of Aidan Gabor, who shares his incredible transformation from a crime-ridden past to finding solace and p…
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, listeners can dive into the multifaceted life of Aidan Gabor, who shares his incredible transformation from a crime-ridden past to finding solace and purpose through the Baha'i Faith. Aidan recounts growing up in a violent crime family, working with the DOJ to take down corrupt officials, and facing profound psychological impacts due to his upbringing. His story explores themes of intergenerational trauma, the struggle with empathy, and the battle between loyalty and justice as he worked as an undercover informant. Personal anecdotes highlight h…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, I welcome Maura Eliza, a specialist in helping mentally exhausted women overcome overwhelm, for an insightful discussion. We delve into topics such as …
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, I welcome Maura Eliza, a specialist in helping mentally exhausted women overcome overwhelm, for an insightful discussion. We delve into topics such as the link between shame and productivity, the impact of societal and cultural expectations, and the role of feminism in women's lives. Maura shares her personal experience with adrenal fatigue and how she adopted practical methods to recover. The conversation also explores the importance of self-care, redefining femininity, and the significance of embracing one's worth beyond achievement. Maura dis…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, host, Furkhan and guest Rodger Friedman engage in a robust discussion centered on key societal issues and their widespread implications. Drawing from F…
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, host, Furkhan and guest Rodger Friedman engage in a robust discussion centered on key societal issues and their widespread implications. Drawing from Friedman's book, 'Erasing America,' the conversation explores themes of humor amidst serious issues, societal polarization, and the media's role in divisiveness. They discuss Friedmans background, his political and financial insights, and his predictions about governmental financial practices leading to potential national bankruptcy. Touching on energy independence, they assess both the U.S. and Ca…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Furkhan engages in a deep discussion with Marcus Higgs, a communication coach for parents of preteens. We explore a variety of topics including the inf…
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Furkhan engages in a deep discussion with Marcus Higgs, a communication coach for parents of preteens. We explore a variety of topics including the influence of words, the impact of culture, and the role of faith in shaping one's beliefs. Marcus shares insights from his experiences teaching around the world and working with parents, emphasizing the importance of understanding personal values and virtues. The conversation delves into the power of storytelling, the significance of being a curious learner, and finding meaning through connection wit…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, I sit down with Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala, a clinical psychologist with 15 years of experience, and talk about her research on Mental Health treatment, …
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, I sit down with Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala, a clinical psychologist with 15 years of experience, and talk about her research on mental health treatment, specifically anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. Dr. Sauer-Zavala discusses the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for anxiety and the role of personality traits in mental health. We explore the 'Big Five' personality model, the limitations of online personality tests, and the impact of temperament. Dr. Sauer-Zavala also shares her methods for increasing therapy acces…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, I welcome Kim Harms, who shares her profound experiences dealing with loss and Grief. Kim, a former dentist and the first woman president of the Minnes…
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, I welcome Kim Harms, who shares her profound experiences dealing with loss and grief. Kim, a former dentist and the first woman president of the Minnesota Dental Association, speaks candidly about losing her son and mother to suicide, and her husband to heart failure. Despite these tragedies, Kim has found peace and acceptance, which she attributes to contemplating her mortality. She discusses the importance of preparing for death, building a meaningful Legacy, and managing grief. Kim offers practical advice on the importance of mental health, a…
In this episode of the Easy Conversation podcast, I engage in a profound dialogue with spiritual transformation coach AmiLynne Carroll, affectionately known as 'Babs.' They explore the significance of…
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the Easy Conversation podcast, I engage in a profound dialogue with spiritual transformation coach AmiLynne Carroll, affectionately known as 'Babs.' They explore the significance of self-help trends, tackle religious trauma, and delve into personal transformation stories, including Babs' journey through cancer and spiritual awakening. The conversation provides practical insights on reframing beliefs, finding purpose in solitude, and the crucial importance of self-love and acceptance. Listeners are invited to reflect deeply on their beliefs and the true essence of spiritual g…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, I welcome certified holistic health coach Holly Bertone. We discuss Holly's approach to helping women in midlife combat weight gain, energy loss, and i…
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, I welcome certified holistic health coach Holly Bertone. We discuss Holly's approach to helping women in midlife combat weight gain, energy loss, and insomnia by emphasizing the importance of mindset and a 'comeback story' perspective. Holly shares her journey from working at the FBI to overcoming health challenges and finding her path to holistic health. They delve into strategies for dealing with life's noise, the impact of traumatic experiences on health, and the significance of being intentional and connected to oneself. Holly also offers pr…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, we hear the inspiring story of Dan MacQueen, who shares his journey of overcoming a severe brain injury and the lessons learned along the way. Dan disc…
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, we hear the inspiring story of Dan MacQueen, who shares his journey of overcoming a severe brain injury and the lessons learned along the way. Dan discusses the importance of perspective, the human ability to overcome adversity, and how he found meaning and purpose in his struggles. He touches on various strategies and hacks that helped him navigate through dark times, emphasizing the significance of acceptance, resilience, and having a routine. Dan also highlights the critical role of mindset and shares practical advice on maintaining momentum …