In this episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, Furkhan welcomes Marc, a technologist and founder of the nonprofit organization Take Two Minutes. The discussion delves into Marc’s journey, from his extensive background in Technology to his heartfelt initiative for mental well-being spurred by his son’s struggles with happiness. Marc shares insights into positive psychology practices such as gratitude journaling, three good things, and grounding exercises that have proven to help individuals enhance their mental well-being. The conversation also discusses the importance of finding purpose, empathy, and compassion in personal and professional settings. Marc’s mission emphasizes helping others without profiting from their suffering, driving the core philosophy of Take Two Minutes. Listeners will gain valuable knowledge on practical activities to manage Stress and Anxiety and foster a positive mindset.

Marc S. Fussell is the visionary founder of the non-profit Take 2 Minutes, a revolutionary platform designed to enhance mental wellness through positive psychology and technology. With over 25 years of experience in IT, Marc’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for improving Mental Health have led to creating a suite of tools that leverage daily positive messages, gratitude journaling, meditations, breathing exercises, a grounding Exercise, a gratitude challenge, Sleep audio, dream journaling, and more to foster happiness and well-being. As a dedicated father, his journey into positive psychology was inspired by a personal commitment to support his son’s mental health, evolving into a mission to spread positivity to a broader audience.

00:00 Welcome to EZ Conversations Podcast

00:54 Marc’s Journey into Positive Psychology

02:42 Bridging the Gap: Emotional Intelligence in Technology

05:43 Understanding and Managing Differences in the Workplace

10:23 The Power of Gratitude and Positive Psychology

15:28 Developing Take Two Minutes: From Personal Experience to Public Service

26:07 Incorporating Gratitude and Other Activities for Mental Wellbeing

27:16 Reflecting on the Past Week: The Questionnaire

27:34 Gratitude Journaling: A 30-Day Challenge

28:18 Three Good Things Activity: Evening Reflections

29:08 The Science Behind Positivity and Neural Pathways

29:54 Case Studies and Results: Measuring Positivity

33:18 The Simplicity and Impact of Short Exercises

34:26 Grounding Exercise: Managing Anxiety

37:55 Nonprofit Mission: Helping Without Profiting

41:23 Finding Purpose and Motivation

46:16 How to Access and Support Take Two Minutes

49:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Sponsors of the Podcast:

• BetterHelp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/ez10⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 10% off your first month of Therapy
• WeShape: https://weshape.postaffiliatepro.com/scripts/dcfogwyuk?a_aid=FurkhanDandia&a_bid=d7508fa8 for 35% all plans.
• Aura: https://aura.com/ez10 for a free two-week trial
• Plunge: https://plunge.com/ez
• Mint Mobile: ⁠https://trymintmobile.com/ez10⁠ for 15$ for an unlimited cell phone plan
• Mental: ⁠https://getmental.com/ez
• NuCalm: https://nucalm.com/free-trial?/ref=ez for a one-week free trial

Or find Furkhan’s Book, Pursuit of Self Love: 30 Uplifting Messages and Reflections. The Kindle version is available on Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Pursuit-Self-Love-Uplifting-Messages-Reflections-ebook/dp/B0C4D1XYL1⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to the EZ Reflections Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ez-reflections-newsletter.beehiiv.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most Recent Episodes

December 30, 2024 Mature Content

Navigating Life, Relationships, and Self-Care

In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, we are joined by Haven, a podcaster and entrepreneur from Los Angeles, who shares her journey and insights on balancing family life, career, and...

Listen · 54:16

December 26, 2024 Mature Content

Challenging Mainstream Medicine

In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Dr. Cowan joins to discuss the role of Alternative Medicine and its often unacknowledged impacts. He shares his unconventional views on chronic...

Listen · 1:08:43

December 23, 2024 Mature Content

Debating Capitalism and Socialism

In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Furkhan and guest Elsie Gilmore dive into the contentious debate between capitalism and socialism. Elsie shares her unique perspective, shaped by her...

Listen · 44:34

Load More Episodes

Furkhan Dandia Therapist and Coach

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.