The person you truly are is reflected in the choices you make in your life.  If those choices aren’t good, it’s probable that you will have an intimate relationship with Anxiety.  Perhaps the true testament of your character and emotional stability is what you do when no one is watching.  Being thoughtful and considerate of others and the environment around you provides you with a sense of self-worth.   If you aren’t worth much to yourself, then anxiety will likely take control over you.  It’s the little decisions you make when no one’s watching which define you.  Putting your weights back after you use them in the gym, returning the shopping cart to the store or storage area, discarding your trash appropriately are just examples of how easy it can be to become more conscientious.  No matter how small the act, these consistent decisions will give you a sense of accomplishment.  You will feel as though you are progressing in this world and progress breeds happiness.  Happiness in the enemy of Anxiety!

In a world of ever-changing social landscapes, we have become more divided than ever. What could be worse for your psychology and ultimate fulfillment when you see your neighbor as a threat?  If things like skin color, gender or politics define each of us then God help us.  In fact, WE ARE WAY MORE ALIKE than WE ARE DIFFERENT.  We have families that although we love them, they drive us crazy! We love our sports, our food, our music, and our culture.  We celebrate newborns and mourn the passing of family and loved ones. We worship and care for people we love.  We work hard to provide financial stability for our families.  We struggle with anxiety and feel that we are not enough. The list could go on forever and no matter where you live and/or the color of your skin, we are ALL just trying to navigate through our journey with as much peace as possible.  How you see others is your own perspective.  Perhaps if you see people based on their MERITS, you might realize that they are a lot like you.

“Look at a man the way he is and he only becomes worse, but look at him as if he were what he could be, then he becomes what he should be”. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Your BRAIN is like a new apartment, a blank space waiting to be decorated. Your MIND is responsible for the décor.   They may seem like the same, but nothing could be further from the truth.  We all share almost the same brain but each of us has a distinctly different mind and you are fully in charge to choose to do whatever you want with it.  In other words, how you think will decorate the apartment you live in.  Do you want it bright and cheery or dark and gloomy?  It’s your call.

The more you think a certain way, the better your mind gets at it.  Think SH***Y become SH***Y.  Think positive become amazing!!  We are easily programmed to see things negatively.  The challenge is to see things positively because it takes far more work to achieve. The optimist outlives the pessimist by 7 years.  Thinking differently costs you nothing but the rewards are immeasurable!

Have you ever been in a noisy and busy nightclub while trying to have a conversation with someone?  It’s very difficult to concentrate and eventually make a connection.  This is a lot like our lives where we are constantly pounded with external stimuli from TV, internet, social media, etc.  We become so preoccupied with what’s happening with the world AROUND US that we forget to stop the madness and tune into our inner voice which is desperate to connect with us and make us whole.  For many, this disconnect with the truth about who we really are and the purpose we’ve yet to discover has lead to feelings of bitterness, frustration, anger and resentment.
Taking time to isolate yourself away from everything you know is an opportunity to discover and listen to your inner voice.  You may learn to focus on the things that make you feel happy instead of the tsunami of negative things that have destroyed your navigation system.  Isolate, be quiet, and truly listen and you will hear the messages that have been dying to get your attention for years.  Spoiler Alert:  YOU JUST MIGHT FIND PEACE AND HAPPINESS DEEP INSIDE.

As you navigate yourself through life, it's easy to become manipulated by external forces (social media, television, politics etc.). These forces bring a plethora of negative influences that look to control your mind for their gain, not yours. Too often, we look to compare ourselves to what others are doing.  This is a trap!  Each of us is on a journey as specific as our own fingerprint.  Stop worrying that you're not as good or as far along as someone else.  You're exactly where you're supposed to be. Perhaps it’s time to stop looking outward for validation and start looking inward at yourself for the answers you seek.  Do you even know who you are and why you're here?  You're so inundated with data from the external world that you don’t even know how to listen to your inner voice.  This is partly why you are anxious.  Consider temporarily isolating yourself from the world of social media, internet, television, and friends to stop the constant chatter in your mind.  The answers you seek about yourself are revealed in quiet isolation. It may take days, weeks, or months but when you become self-aware, you’ll return to the world with a profound sense of who you are and where you’re going.  You will learn to remove negative influences and surround yourself with only positive energy to assist you on your journey.

Life is filled with difficulty. It is the struggle that provides an avenue towards your greatness. No one before you and no one after you will ever reach their true potential without learning the lessons that this brutal life can instill.  Life does not happen to you, but rather for you.  Once you understand that these difficulties are inevitable and part of your journey to success, you’ll become less of a victim and more of an opportunist.You already possess everything you need to build a meaningful life. Start each day with an attitude of gratitude for all that you have.  Gratitude is the key that unlocks your heart and makes life meaningful. Get up each day and go after the things you want but never forget that you already have what you need.  It all comes down to your attitude and perspective.

When you think, nerve cells (neurons) connect with each other creating a hardwired pattern of thought.  A negative pattern of thinking results in the release of chemical hormones that flood your blood stream and stimulate all of your cells to make proteins that tend to make you sick.  It’s like putting Low Grade gasoline in your engine as opposed to High Octane!  It won’t hurt you right away but, in the end, things will erode. As long as you can breathe, you can change your life. Simply make a decision about how you want to feel and focus all of your energy on it.  Steer clear of negative thoughts, negative programming and negative people.  When you find yourself overwhelmed, go outside into nature and calm yourself.  Your experience in life is connected to how you feel, which is a product of how you think.

When you experience stress, you’re simply applying meaning to an event that has either HAPPENED or you THINK will happen to you.  Sometimes you are correct and sometimes you are not. Studies have shown that up to 93% of what you stress over never actually happens.  Unfortunately, poor thinking/chronic stress has profound negative effects on your cells and ultimately your health.  Perhaps like grandma used to say to you, “change your attitude and watch yourself soar”.  She was right and this podcast will teach you why she was right from a doctors' perspective.  Your body becomes what you consistently think of.

There are several different causes of DEPRESSION but perhaps the most powerful one of all is LONELINESS.  That doesn’t mean that you simply don’t have other people in your proximity, it means that you struggle to make strong human connections. Over 55 million people in America wake up every day and take medication for depression and anxiety.  We’ve been told by the AMA and Big Pharma that mood stabilizing medications, SSRI’s, help to balance serotonin levels in our brain which reduces the symptoms of depression and anxiety. The question is, does the science support this hypothesis?  Does the medication really change the brain or is the effect a placebo?  Join me for this interesting discussion into all things related to depression.

Sports have been a staple in America for years.  If you live in the New England area like me, you know that the foundation of great sports lore is built around the Boston Red Sox.  Join me in this conversation with Chris Valente, the Director of Marketing for the Boston Red Sox as we get an update on our beloved team.  Chris discusses how sports have provided a haven for fellowship and entertainment allowing a modicum of escape from life’s challenges. When all else fails…Go Sox!!

Mr. Rick Porter is a true leader among men.  In this interview, he talks about his humble beginnings with his 2 brothers and stability that his parents provided.  He speaks of his experiences in the Army Rangers, training for iron man competitions, and building a successful business.  We shared stories of family and what he has learned from his 3 beautiful children. Rick spoke of the power of commitment and a plan of action to achieve desired goals.  And….a surprise visit from Bella.

Dreams do come true.  Mike Peckham Jr. is the newest undergraduate to join the Class of 2025 at Harvard University.  He's a self-made 18-year-old man in search of a career fashioned by mathematics and economics.  Mike sits down with me in this podcast to discuss how he was able to achieve such a lofty goal of being accepted into the oldest and most prestigious school in America.  Here’s a hint: It wasn’t because he is the son of a legacy or a senator or president.  Nope, Mike did it the old-fashioned way.  He earned it.  We discussed the moment he learned of his acceptance, the man who inspired him, the mentor that guided him and what he sees for himself and America.  Mike is a visionary and I suspect you are going to hear a lot about him in the future.  He is a true leader.

How often do you get to have a conversation with a woman who was born just a few years after the Titanic went down? Today is that day. Say hello to my mom, Betty Jean. She is a spry 92-year-old woman with an interesting perspective on life. From a trip down memory lane including her life as a child in the 1930’s and 1940’s to raising a family with her loving devoted husband Cosmo (my dad). Betty shares what life was like generations ago and how solid family values shaped her journey. Her story is one of triumph and sorrow that she accepts and trusts that her faith will continue to guide her. She has words of wisdom for the new generation. She is the true American hero.

Even in the most powerful hurricane, there is a moment of peace in the eye. We find ourselves in a storm that is sure to change our way of life. We need leaders now more than ever. The youth fit that mold but for many aging Americans like me, we shiver at the thought of what todays 20-year-old is going to do to contribute to society. Amongst those that want to tear it down, there are some that still dream big and are committed to the American dream.
Meet Kevin Girardin. Kevin is a 21-year-old college student that I’ve known for 7 years. I’ve watched his transformation from insecure and anxious to confident and hopeful for a great future. Join us for an intimate conversation about life and the future from tomorrows next leader.

Our lives have been uprooted and of course another shutdown looms.  How can another shutdown be good for us?  Regardless if they tell us it works (which we know it doesn’t, as many countries concur) what is the toll on human health, psychology and our social support systems?  Let’s not forget the forgotten, our children.  They're being robbed of an education while their tender minds are running off the rails.  This will negatively affect their emotional wellness for a lifetime. All this chaos for a virus that they're 99% likely to survive if you get it. It’s easier for middle age people who have already learned how to cope with adversity.

Our kids are looking for safety and stability but that's not what they're getting.  They will struggle forever and the next generation will inherit this emotional dysfunction.  It's difficult to tell them that the government is in control of everything. Parents once reassured their kids that they live in a free country where speech is always protected by the constitution and education would provide them with a good paying job.  These assumptions are no longer the truth.  Government is getting bigger and thirstier for your blood and your money.  If you dare to speak up, you will be cancelled.  Nice message, huh?

There is definitely something else going on here.  Big tech, Hollywood elite and of course greedy bureaucrats in Washington are setting us up for the greatest takeover of democracy we’ve ever seen.  If you don’t believe me, then take it from Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer "Now we take Georgia and then we change America".  Hold on tight folks.  This is going to be a bumpy ride.

This is part 2 of 2 of a sit down with Suraj, just chewing the fat over many of the difficult challenges that await us all.

Our lives have been uprooted and of course another shutdown looms.  How can another shutdown be good for us?  Regardless if they tell us it works (which we know it doesn’t, as many countries concur) what is the toll on human health, psychology and our social support systems?  Let’s not forget the forgotten, our children.  They're being robbed of an education while their tender minds are running off the rails.  This will negatively affect their emotional wellness for a lifetime. All this chaos for a virus that they're 99% likely to survive if you get it. It’s easier for middle age people who have already learned how to cope with adversity.

Our kids are looking for safety and stability but that's not what they're getting.  They will struggle forever and the next generation will inherit this emotional dysfunction.  It's difficult to tell them that the government is in control of everything. Parents once reassured their kids that they live in a free country where speech is always protected by the constitution and education would provide them with a good paying job.  These assumptions are no longer the truth.  Government is getting bigger and thirstier for your blood and your money.  If you dare to speak up, you will be cancelled.  Nice message, huh?

There is definitely something else going on here.  Big tech, Hollywood elite and of course greedy bureaucrats in Washington are setting us up for the greatest takeover of democracy we’ve ever seen.  If you don’t believe me, then take it from Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer "Now we take Georgia and then we change America".  Hold on tight folks.  This is going to be a bumpy ride.

This is part 1 of 2 of a sit down with Suraj, just chewing the fat over many of the difficult challenges that await us all.

Putting yourself in the right positive mindset to achieve your goals is certainly no secret.  It’s a shame that more people aren’t dialed in to thinking in a manner which bring them a positive outcome.   Unfortunately, there are many events in our environment over a lifetime that hijack the way we think.  Once you become the pessimist, you’re statistically going to live 5 years less than if you were an optimist.  When experiencing positive emotions, the brain responds by making a concoction of neurochemicals (endorphins, dopamine and oxytocin to name a few) which help you to feel good and stay healthy.  In 2020, the power of the positive has an enemy.  It’s the pandemic and all that goes with it. Join me and my buddy Suraj Patel as we chat about The Power of the Positive Mind and the challenges we face today.  We discuss some easy to implement strategies to help you cope more effectively.  Stay positive my friend.

Being human isn’t easy. We've been blessed to have an amazing brain unparalleled by any other creature on the planet. It is my firm belief that the brain can be not only our greatest attribute but also our worst nightmare. When 2 people are communicating, their brains are in coherence with each other.  This is when something magical happens. This is called communication. When we learn to communicate our ideas with others, we build strong and powerful perspectives which help us through the most difficult times. It's been said that anything is achievable, when you put your mind to it.  Communication is a learned response and unfortunately if you were absent during that class, there may be some painful interactions in your future.

Today Suraj and I discuss what's happened to our communication strategies during this lockdown/pandemic.  More specifically, how social media has hijacked our brain allowing a flood of information to screw up our perspective and ultimately damage our communication skills.  The mere term social distancing should tell you something. The last thing we need to do is to be further away from each other. Sure maybe 6 feet but it's gone much further than that.

Once our society began to communicate through text and social media, we lost all important one-on-one human communication which leads to a plethora of negative emotions.  Suraj and I both agree that the struggle for healthy communication has magnified significantly. Zoom meetings, Facebook, Twitter, Tinder, email and text to name a few have replaced the in person one-on-one interaction. This is troubling and it's evident that the continued deterioration of healthy communication strategies is leading to a new pandemic of its own called anxiety and depression. There are ways to take back your control. Check out this conversation with Suraj (26) and myself (55) and get a perspective from men living in what seems to be worlds apart.

Have you ever noticed how cruel life can be?  Like when everything seems to be going really well and you feel on top of the world and then within the blink of an eye everything changes? If it hasn't for you, it's because you’re either lying or you’re dead. This podcast chronicles one incredibly difficult day for a young female athlete named Abby. Abby's life was going to plan and everything seemed right until she suffered a complete rupture of her Achilles tendon in a soccer game. In that moment, life took a painful step backwards. The physical and emotional toll that the injury and rehabilitation inflicted upon her was unprecedented. Although she struggled, she relied on faith and family to provide perspective. In Abby's words, life's challenges happen for us not to us. She shares many intimate feelings about her own existence during a time when she felt helpless.  What initially appeared to be a catastrophic event, eventually became another one of life's incredible vignettes. Perhaps her story will inspire you. It has certainly had an inspirational effect upon me.

It started as an idea and progressed to the adventure of a lifetime.  Five years ago, my friend Jonesy had a brilliant idea to sail from Boston to Miami by himself.  The only problem was he had never sailed before. Although he felt very comfortable on the ocean as the owner and operator of a small 28’ Carver cabin cruiser, he had limited to no experience on a sailboat.  After tracking down a decent sailing vessel (a Person 39 footer for you sailing enthusiasts) and months of preparation, he decided to go for it.  Join us and listen to the personal recount of his experiences during the journey and how this trip impacted his perspective on life.  Lightning storms from hell, rapidly shifting tides that grounded the craft, torn sails, damaged hulls, and that’s in just the first couple of days!!

Jonesy found the courage to take life head on.  Sitting on the sideline of life is not an option for him.  What about you?  Can you muster the strength to overcome your fear and live a life worth living?  As Jim McKay from ABC’s Wide World of Sports used to say…“Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sports...the thrill of victory...and the agony of defeat”.  If you don’t try, you will never know your worth, while growth and prosperity avoid you.  The time to live is NOW!