Episodes

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 💡 What you may learn: How outdated workplace structures clash with modern employee needs Ways astrology can reveal communication styles and improve collaboration Why generational shifts are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...

What if the challenges you face as a young adult weren’t setbacks but stepping stones? What if the pressure from social media, your family background, and daily doubts were actually forging your inner spirit instead of breaking it? In this powerful episode of YoggNation: Spirit of Gratitude, host Yogesh Patel sits down with David Farias, a graduating senior from Nogales High School with Air Force ambitions, to explore the mindset that transformed his life. From growing up in a single-parent hou...

What if your greatest setback was actually your superpower in disguise? Former CNN, CBS & ABC journalist Seema Mathur joins YoggNation: Spirit of Gratitude to share a deeply personal and transformative journey—one that began in newsrooms and unfolded across operating rooms, war zones, and spiritual awakenings. Host Yogesh Patel guides this raw, unfiltered conversation on the power of gratitude, emotional honesty, and embracing our imperfect selves. Seema opens up about undergoing brain su...

Mateo Askaripour — New York Times bestselling author of Black Buck — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a bold, no-holds-barred conversation about breaking free from society’s boxes, reclaiming your story, and refusing to settle for crumbs when you deserve the full meal. In this episode, Mateo gets candid about his journey from tech sales to bestselling author, the toxic ways gratitude can be used to silence ambition, and why stepping away from social media gave him the clarity to live with intentio...

Tobin Smith — CEO of Transformity Research and former Fox Business Network "Bulls and Bears" panelist — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a raw, no-fluff conversation about transformation, resilience, and owning your truth. He breaks down how real success isn’t about chasing validation or fixing yourself — it’s about knowing your wiring, accepting it, and building a life where you thrive. At the heart of it all is gratitude — not the pretty, polished kind — but the gritty gratitude that gives you...

What happens when gratitude meets grit — and transforms an entire life? Roberto Hernandez — high school teacher, father, and Season 17 winner of NBC’s The Biggest Loser — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a powerful conversation on self-awareness, bullying, and reclaiming your inner spirit in an era of distraction and digital pressure. With heartfelt honesty, Roberto shares how his upbringing, faith, and his father’s unwavering values shaped the man he is today. From battling weight and self-doub...

What if the very things that made you feel small as a child became your greatest sources of power? Jenny Poon — entrepreneur, public speaker, and CEO — joins Spirit of Gratitude to share her transformative journey from shy, bullied child to bold founder and community builder. Born to Vietnamese refugees, Jenny opens up about how her mother’s quiet strength and her immigrant upbringing shaped her inner spirit, ignited her self-awareness, and taught her the true meaning of gratitude. In this em...

What if one phone call could change the entire trajectory of a young person’s life? Oscar Gonzalez — U.S. Army Veteran and National Hotline Director at Boys Town — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a heart-centered conversation on bullying, crisis response, and the transformative power of community. From his military service to leading one of the most trusted youth hotlines in the country, Oscar shares how gratitude, self-awareness, and compassion are saving lives every single day. In this powerf...

What if the secret to career success wasn’t ambition, but emotional intelligence and gratitude? Justin Wright — viral influencer, executive coach, and leadership strategist — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a transformative conversation on how self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the practice of gratitude helped him rise above toxic workplaces and build a purpose-driven career. From mindset shifts to mentorship, Justin shares practical insights that go beyond leadership titles — and into...

What if mastering your money started with mastering your mindset? Keith Fitz-Gerald — Wall Street strategist, media personality, and high-performance thinker — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a no-holds-barred conversation on financial empowerment, self-awareness, and the surprising role gratitude plays in building real wealth. Known for his bold insights and fearless approach to life, Keith unpacks the emotional side of money and why most financial education gets it wrong. From conquering fear...

What if your deepest pain became the very foundation of your strength? Fayruz Benyousef — philanthropist, warrior, and two-time cancer survivor — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a soul-stirring conversation on resilience, faith, and the transformational power of gratitude. From losing her father at a young age to facing Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 16 and later battling breast cancer, Fayruz has turned every trial into a mission of healing, hope, and purpose. With unfiltered honesty and unwavering gra...

What if your wildest adventures — from law enforcement to Hollywood — still couldn’t compare to the lessons learned in your backyard? Dave Salem — former police officer, helicopter pilot, and surprise actor in Transformers 4 — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a high-energy, deeply human conversation about bullying, self-awareness, and the unexpected turns that shape our lives. From a shocking run-in with his childhood bully to the lessons he’s carried from law enforcement into fatherhood and servi...

What if real strength wasn’t about what you hold in — but what you’re willing to release? Jeff Fink — leader in The ManKind Project and advocate for authentic masculinity — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a courageous conversation on mental health, vulnerability, and what it truly means to grow as a man. Through the lens of his own journey — including bullying, a powerful weight loss transformation, and emotional healing — Jeff shows how self-awareness and accountability are the cornerstones of...