Episodes

What if overcoming bullying didn’t just build strength, but awakened your inner spirit? Cliff Starks — retired professional fighter, MMA Hall of Famer, and co-host of the Bully This podcast — joins Spirit of Gratitude for an inspiring conversation about resilience, self-discovery, and the power of gratitude. In this episode, Cliff opens up about being bullied as a kid for being overweight — and how that adversity led to deep self-awareness, personal transformation, and a career fighting for m...

What if you could build your life the way you build a video game avatar — with grit, wisdom, and kindness? Tyler Coperhaver — serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, and co-host of the Bully This podcast — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a raw and inspiring conversation about rising from poverty, facing adversity head-on, and creating a life rooted in purpose and power. Known as “The Underdog Entrepreneur,” Tyler shares his philosophy of building your own avatar in real life, where every challenge a...

​​What if the key to winning wasn’t luck, but learning how to adapt when life knocks you down? Gene Podsiadlo — former Wall Street executive at Warburg Pincus and current venture capitalist — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a gripping and insightful conversation on resilience, reinvention, and the lessons that only life-threatening experiences can teach. Having survived both a plane crash and a motorcycle accident, Gene reflects on how risk—in business and in life—demands not just courage, but ...

What if the stories we hide are the very ones that set us free? Denene Millner — six-time New York Times bestselling author and literary force — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a soulful, deeply honest conversation on self-awareness, identity, and the power of storytelling to heal, connect, and transform. With vulnerability and wisdom, Denene reflects on her journey through self-consciousness, beauty standards, and the secrets that shaped her sense of self. She and Yogesh explore how writing be...

In Part II of this powerful conversation, Yogesh Patel sits down with Pandit Manuj Dutt, a practicing Hindu priest, to explore the timeless relevance of Hinduism and Vedic philosophy in today's complex world. Together, they unpack how the ancient teachings of the Vedas, centered on Dharma (righteous living), Artha (financial prosperity), Kama (desire), and Moksha (liberation), can offer clarity amidst modern chaos. From navigating identity struggles to redefining success, this episode reveals h...

What if ancient wisdom held the key to navigating today’s chaos, with grace and purpose? Pandit Manuj Dutt — Hindu priest, astrologer, and spiritual guide — joins Spirit of Gratitude for Part I of a transformative two-part conversation on Vedic philosophy, Dharma, and the search for inner clarity. In a world overwhelmed by distraction, this dialogue offers a grounding return to timeless truths. Together with Yogesh, Pandit Dutt unpacks the universal principles of self-awareness, duty, and s...

What if raising confident kids started with teaching them how to use their voice — and their heart? Rennu Dhillon — founder of Genius Kids and a pioneer in early childhood education — joins Spirit of Gratitude to explore how communication, compassion, and self-awareness shape not only great students but empowered human beings. Born in Kenya and now an educational leader in the San Francisco Bay Area, Rennu shares her journey of building a learning system that emphasizes public speaking, emoti...

What if the key to resilience wasn’t toughness, but vulnerability and self-awareness? Brian Dawson — technologist, speaker, and advocate for diversity in sports — joins Spirit of Gratitude for an honest, moving conversation about growing up Black in Palo Alto during the early days of the tech revolution. From enduring bullying to navigating questions of racial identity, Brian shares how empathy, self-awareness, and inner strength helped shape his path. He opens up about founding a diverse lac...

What if your second chance at life became your calling to help others truly live? Danny Bader — bestselling author and inspirational speaker — joins Spirit of Gratitude to share the extraordinary story of how he survived a tragic electrocution accident that claimed the life of his friend. What followed was a journey not just of survival, but of deep self-awareness, radical resilience, and rediscovering his inner spirit. In this powerful episode, Danny reflects on the lessons that emerged from...

What if embracing who you are wasn’t just brave, but life-saving? Nicole Talbot — singer, actress, and transgender advocate — joins Spirit of Gratitude to share her deeply personal journey of self-discovery, bullying, and the power of living your truth. From finding her voice on stage at age five to navigating the emotional terrain of transitioning, Nicole offers an unflinching look at what it means to choose authenticity over fear. In this heartfelt conversation, Nicole opens up about the im...

What does gratitude look like when you're sitting front row to history — and holding power to account? Jonathan Karl — Chief Washington Correspondent for ABC News and author of Front Row at the Trump Show and Betrayal — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a thoughtful conversation on journalism, humility, and the unseen forces that shape our lives and careers. From briefing rooms to battlegrounds, Jonathan reflects on the power of gratitude, the discipline of self-awareness, and the responsibility ...

What if the next big social platform wasn’t built for clout — but for healing and purpose? Jeff McKinney — founder and CEO of One2Gration — joins Spirit of Gratitude to discuss how technology can be used not to divide, but to unify. His platform is a bold answer to the growing mental health crisis: a space designed to help people reconnect with their purpose, find healing, and grow both personally and professionally. In this conversation, Jeff shares his own battles with workplace bullying an...

What does it take to stand alone, with everything on the line — and still lead with heart? Nick Lowery — former Kansas City Chiefs kicker and all-time leading scorer, Dartmouth graduate, and Hall of Fame philanthropist — joins Spirit of Gratitude for an unforgettable conversation on courage, self-awareness, and the relentless pursuit of purpose. As the all-time leading scorer for the Chiefs and a servant-leader across multiple White House administrations, Nick shares the mindset behind excell...

What if your biggest challenge became your greatest strength? Amy Truesdale — Paralympic gold medalist and trailblazer in Para taekwondo — joins Spirit of Gratitude to share her powerful journey from childhood adversity to standing atop the podium at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Born without a left forearm, Amy began taekwondo at age seven for self-defense. Over the years, she transformed personal challenges into a decorated career, including multiple World and European titles. In this ep...

What if your greatest struggle was also the key to unlocking empathy, leadership, and resilience? Amanda Talty — President & CEO of the Tourette Association of America — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a powerful and eye-opening conversation on Tourette Syndrome, self-advocacy, and embracing what makes you different. In this episode, Amanda breaks down the myths and misconceptions around Tourette, revealing the wide spectrum of symptoms and lived experiences. She opens up about the emotiona...

What does it take to lead a team flying 18 inches apart at 700 mph — and still stay grounded? “Boss” Gil Rud — former Flight Leader of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels — joins Spirit of Gratitude to share his incredible journey from a one-room schoolhouse in North Dakota to piloting the lead jet in one of the most elite aerobatic teams in the world. In this gripping conversation, Gil opens up about growing up with humble beginnings, overcoming bullying, and the mental fortitude it took to fly inche...

What if getting lost was the only way to truly find yourself? Luke Russert — acclaimed journalist and New York Times bestselling author of Look for Me There — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a deeply reflective conversation on self-awareness, grief, and the spiritual clarity that can only come from stepping into the unknown. After leaving a high-profile career at NBC News, Luke embarked on a three-year global journey that transformed his understanding of identity, gratitude, and purpose. Thro...

Can resilience, faith, and the love of food transform a life — and a community? Chef Ron Young — aka @azdopechef — joins Spirit of Gratitude to serve up a powerful story of overcoming bullying, navigating a learning disability, and turning passion into purpose. Raised in California by a military father and a nurturing mother, Ron found strength in athletics, faith, and his grandmother’s daily advice: read the Bible. Today, he's a culinary entrepreneur building more than meals — he's building ...