Episodes

What if the toughest moments: bullying, illness, isolation, hold the key to your most resilient self? In this special episode, we highlight standout insights from EP 41 through 50 of the podcast, featuring past guests who turned adversity into strength and gratitude into impact. 🧠 What you will learn: How past guests turned online hate into audience growth Why gratitude expands through service and shared struggle Ways real community beats empty digital engagement 🔑 Key takeaways: ...

What does it take to build champions without breaking people? Coach Malek Ben-Musa shares a leadership philosophy forged through immigration, adversity, and decades on the field from Europe to Austin and into the world of MLS NEXT. What you will learn: Why gratitude and faith drive consistent performance How to lead with safety, character, and ownership under pressure The real meaning of passion: disciplined persistence through the tough moments Key takeaways: Leadership st...

How does a small show with a big heart grow into a movement? Host Yogesh Patel takes you behind the scenes of Spirit of Gratitude’s first year, from an Anthem Awards finalist nod to a packed gratitude gala celebrating real community and connection. 🧠 What You Will Learn: How clarity, consistency, and empathy shaped the show’s rebrand Why serving one core message beats chasing every algorithm trend How storytelling can turn awareness into action and compassion into culture 🗝️ Key...

What can a 120-year-old car teach about passion, perseverance, and giving back? Master restorer Alan Travis shows how restoring history is about more than cars, it’s about inspiring others, sharing knowledge, and living with gratitude. 🧠 What You Will learn: How mentoring students and sharing restoration knowledge keeps history aliveWhy true passion is measured by hands-on engagement, not just admirationA Jay Leno story that shows the joy, respect, and camaraderie in craftsmanship🗝️ Key takea...

What makes sports more than a game? Damon Bruce, a voice woven into two decades of Bay Area sports talk, shares how a broadcast can become a bond connecting families, generations, and communities. 💡 What you will learn: How sports reveal character, humility, and gratitude Lessons in leadership from Steve Kerr and championship culture Why real connection matters more than social media noise 🗝️ Key takeaways: Victory means little without humanity Gratitude grounds both athl...

What if one teacher’s belief could change your entire story? Assistant principal and 2020 Teacher of the Year Santosh Kumar shares how empathy, courage, and gratitude shaped his journey from bullied student to educator and coach. 💡 What you will learn: How systems, not slogans, build fearless students Tools to help teens manage the inner critic Why schools and parents must team up in the digital age 🗝️ Key takeaways: Gratitude and reflection strengthen learning Confidence grow...

What happens when one man lives out two dreams, one in the NFL and one on the Motown stage? Sydney Justin, former defensive back and lead singer of The Miracles, shares a life shaped by perseverance, prophecy, and love. 💡 What you will learn: How rejection and resilience fueled Sydney’s rise from sandlot football to the Super Bowl The incredible story of Ray Charles predicting his future as Smokey Robinson’s successor Why love and gratitude are the driving forces behind both his mu...

When technology transforms overnight, how do you stay human while keeping up? Michael Earls reveals how gratitude, grit, and growth helped him guide companies from traditional data centers to cloud computing and now AI-powered infrastructure. 🧠 What you’ll learn: How a terrifying police stop reshaped Michael’s view of resilience and gratitude Why today’s AI disruption mirrors the arrival of electricity a century ago How a “glass is always full” mindset can turn rapid change into op...

What does it take to rise from a struggling student who flunked first and second grade to a 10th-degree black belt martial arts master? Great Grandmaster Ernie Reyes Sr. reveals the story behind his legendary journey and the life lessons that shaped him into one of the world’s most respected martial artists. 💡What you will learn: How martial arts transforms fear, doubt, and struggle into strength The four timeless pillars Grandmaster Reyes lives and teaches by Why persistence and m...

What happens when embodying characters becomes a path to self-discovery? Actress Alaina Huffman shares how her roles, from Black Canary to Abaddon, have shaped her perspective on strength, vulnerability, and gratitude. 💡What you will learn: Lessons from her new film, Waltzing with Brando, and the power of simply existing How auditioning dozens of times a year built resilience and purpose Why fandom and philanthropy have redefined her impact beyond the screen 🗝️Key takeaways: ...

Gratitude has the power to turn challenges into strength. Last Saturday, August 9, 2025, host Yogesh Patel held his first annual Spirit of Gratitude Gala, inviting all previous guests (14 attended) in celebration of the podcast's one-year anniversary launch. In this episode, sponsors of the said event shares how authenticity, resilience, and appreciation shape leadership and life. 💡What You Will Learn: The four non-negotiable qualities of authentic leaders Why gratitude acts as a fou...

What happens when you leave decades of corporate success to follow a mission that moves your soul? Top YouTuber Jen Hardy from the "Fabulous Over 50" podcast interviews the host, Yogesh "Yogi" Patel, on his own podcast, sharing more of his journey from tech sales at Apple and Dell to creating YoggNation: The Spirit of Gratitude podcast. 💡What you will Learn How personal challenges can spark life-changing purposeStrategies for turning rejection into opportunityThe role of gratitude and prese...

What does it look like to bring your whole self to work? Can self-awareness and even astrology help bridge communication gaps? Business coach and author Stephany Poe shares how to create healthier, more human workplaces in 2025. 💡 What you may learn: How outdated workplace structures clash with modern employee needs Ways astrology can reveal communication styles and improve collaboration Why generational shifts are redefining what healthy work looks like 🔑 Key takeaways: Self-ac...

How did a bullied kid grow up to lead one of California’s most visionary architecture firms? What if the way we design our homes, offices even our cities could reflect our deepest truths? Gary Nichols doesn’t just build buildings; he builds meaning. In this powerful episode, the founder of Revel Architecture and Design shares how surviving childhood bullying and depression pushed him toward self-awareness, self-love, and a radical new approach to design—one that centers on human connection an...

How can leadership in the boardroom teach us the true power of gratitude and family care? Host Yogesh Patel engages with Nancy May, CEO of Boardroom Bench LLC, on the intersection of corporate governance and family dynamics. Nancy, a seasoned governance expert, delves into the emotional and financial challenges of caregiving for aging parents while exploring leadership, integrity, and the importance of gratitude in both the corporate world and personal life. She shares how family struct...

After 45 episodes of spotlighting remarkable guests, YoggNation: Spirit of Gratitude flips the script. For the first time, host Yogesh Patel shares his story, taking center stage to share the story behind the podcast. In this deeply personal solo episode, Yogesh reflects on the journey that led him to create a platform rooted in gratitude, self-awareness, and resilience—and why these themes matter more now than ever. He opens up about his daughter Riyani’s brave battle with bullying and Touret...

In an era where Gen Z is often misunderstood or written off, Tanish Doshi is the quiet counter-narrative. As a high school graduate headed to Yale University, Tanish brings a level of depth, gratitude, and inner clarity rarely seen at his age. In this episode of YoggNation: The Spirit of Gratitude, he opens up about his upbringing as the child of Indian immigrants, how he found a sense of purpose early in life, and why his generation is struggling to build real connections in the age of endless...

What if the key to rising above bullying and bias isn’t just toughness but empathy, community, and a fire lit from within? Host Yogesh Patel sits down with Gilbert Martin—Latino tech entrepreneur, executive, and mentor—to explore how adversity, identity, and inner spirit fuel true personal growth. Gilbert opens up about the emotional scars of his stepfather throwing him out of the house at age 15 and the pivotal role that empathy, education, and community support played in his healing. From bei...

What happens when high-level corporate storytelling collides with deep inner clarity? In this episode of YoggNation: The Spirit of Gratitude, host Yogesh Patel welcomes Steve Multer—Fortune 500 brand storyteller, keynote speaker, and author—to explore how powerful communication isn’t about performance… it’s about purpose. Steve breaks down the three pillars of storytelling—Value, Passion, and Connection—and shares how the most effective brands (and humans) communicate from a place of emotional...

What do you do when life takes a turn you never asked for? In this moving episode of YoggNation: The Spirit of Gratitude, retired law enforcement officer and Podcaster Michael Herst shares the raw truth behind the pain, trauma, and unexpected moments that shaped his life. From losing both parents without a chance to say goodbye, to having his law enforcement career upended just as he was about to rise to the next rank, he opens up about grief, resentment, and the long road to forgiveness. ...

How do you go from fighting to survive each day… to inspiring others with your voice? Jen Hardy, YouTuber, Podcaster, and CEO of Hardy House Media, opens up about her journey from a turbulent childhood marked by bullying, trauma, and chronic illness to becoming a powerful advocate for emotional intelligence, resilience, and intentional parenting. Raised by alcoholic and narcissistic parents, Jen shares how her inner spirit, faith, and self-awareness helped her rewrite the narrative. This conv...

What does it take to truly know yourself and lead with heart? In Part II of this Best of Reels episode from the YoggNation: Spirit of Gratitude Podcast, host Yogesh Patel revisits more powerful guest moments that dive deep into self-awareness, leadership, mental health, and personal growth. This collection features heartfelt insights on identity, parenting, empathy, and emotional resilience, with Yogi adding thoughtful commentary that ties each moment back to your inner spirit. From the strug...

In this special, two-part Best of Reels episode of YoggNation: Spirit of Gratitude, host Yogesh Patel revisits the most powerful moments from past guests, offering new reflections, behind-the-scenes commentary, and a deeper look into the wisdom they shared. Through the lens of self-awareness, resilience, and overcoming adversity, this episode captures the raw emotion and inspiration that define the podcast. From stories of bullying and generational poverty to the healing role of art, mentorshi...

How adversity and sister Katherine shaped the Wright brothers and the stories we’ve never been told. USA Today and International Bestselling author Tracey Enerson Wood uncovers the hidden narratives that shaped our world from the overlooked brilliance of Katherine Wright (sister of the Wright Brothers) to the personal battles that fuel great writing. Host Yogesh Patel explores Tracey’s evolution from cookbook creator to historical fiction powerhouse. Together, they unpack how bullying influen...