Discover how Carrie Drinkwine transformed her life through deep emotional work, holistic health, and spiritual awakening. In this episode, she shares her inspiring journey from childhood trauma and autoimmune disease to becoming a healer and educator dedicated to helping others reclaim their sovereignty and fearless happiness. http://carriedrinkwine.com For More From Sober Coach/Substance Abuse Counselor Max Njist, visit MaxNijst.org...
May 13, 2026•1 hr 5 min•Season 6Ep. 243
Join Max and Dr. Jeff McNairy as they explore innovative approaches to healing trauma, addiction, and mental health through plant medicine, holistic therapies, and personal stories of transformation. Discover how self-awareness, alternative treatments, and fearless pursuit of purpose can lead to profound life changes. For more from Dr. McNairy: www.jeffmcnairy.com For More From Sober Coach/Substance Abuse Counselor Max Njist, visit MaxNijst.org...
May 06, 2026•1 hr 2 min•Season 6Ep. 242
In this episode of the Fearless Happiness Podcast, host Max speaks with Alexis Leigh, author of 'Pain is a Portal to Beauty'. Alexis shares her journey through grief, trauma, and healing, discussing how her childhood experiences shaped her life. She explores the role of therapy, nature, and psychedelics in her healing process, emphasizing the importance of embracing pain and emotions. Alexis also discusses her writing journey and the lessons learned along the way, ultimately highlighting the pow...
Apr 29, 2026•50 min•Season 6Ep. 241
In this episode of the Fearless Happiness Podcast, host Max interviews Jonathan Kemp, who shares his personal journey through mental health challenges, including bipolar disorder, addiction, and dyslexia. Jonathan discusses the importance of seeking help, the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, and the process of writing his memoir to help others. He emphasizes the significance of community support and professional guidance in overcoming mental health struggles, and offers valuable insights on ...
Apr 22, 2026•49 min•Season 6Ep. 240
In this episode of the Fearless Happiness Podcast, Max Nijst interviews Dr. Amy Albright, a doctor of Chinese medicine who merges neuroscience with spirituality. Dr. Albright shares her personal journey from illness to healing, emphasizing the importance of connection, breathwork, and the courage to face fears. The conversation explores the intersection of science and spirituality, the power of gratitude, and the significance of community in overcoming challenges. Dr. Albright offers insights on...
Apr 15, 2026•53 min•Season 6Ep. 240
What do you do when you can't quite square what you're taught in your ultra religious household with what you experience on a day to day basis? Metaphysician (well, now a metaphysician) had the same question. And it was one he explored with vigor. Using his own life, his own ups and downs, patterns he found himself repeating, and the joy he had in the pure research of metaphysics, Reginald found his flow. Listen to his impactful experience and how he helps others find the same "magic". For more ...
Apr 08, 2026•50 min•Season 6Ep. 239
You're going to have challenges–that's life. What's up to you is what you do when you are faced with them. Do you fold? Or do you rise to the occasion, when that might be a full hip replacement after having three children, then signing up to row across the Atlantic Ocean, THEN undergoing a major surgery and chemo for bowel cancer...oh and then volutarily choosing to be a part of the Everest Base Camp Marathon three years after her diagnosis? Felicity Ashley rose to the occasion. Big time. Listen...
Apr 02, 2026•47 min•Season 6Ep. 237
Have you ever wanted to get out of your mind for a minute? Michael Tierno was curious, so at 42 he went down to Peru for an ayahuasca retreat and did just that. It changed his entire life, and while he doesn't exactly offer the same experience as his own (although he can tell you where to go), through his one-on-ones and 4-day retreats, he can help you get there...if you're willing. It might be a new approach for us in the Western world, but it's an ancient practice full of hidden benefits. List...
Mar 25, 2026•55 min•Season 6Ep. 236
Gissele Taraba never imagined her lifelong dream to work in Canada's child welfare system would end in burnout. And she certainly didn't expect to start a new career, become an author, become a podcaster, and be in the process of making a documentary. And she really really didn't think all would be around the ideas of self love and compassion. But here she is, and she is thriving. Through her personal discovery of her lack of self love and lack of compassion for herself, Gissele has dedicated he...
Mar 17, 2026•1 hr 8 min•Season 6Ep. 235
Dr. Jason Giles was not going to be an alcoholic for a very specific reason–his dad was an alcoholic and made him feel inadequate. He didn't go down that road, but becoming a doctor in the field of anesthesia gave him access to something else: fentanyl. In a major plot twist, what started as his own personal recovery turned into a passion for working with addicts. While other doctors don't have to necessarily share in the same plight as their patients, Dr. Giles is convinced that there is someth...
Mar 11, 2026•53 min•Season 6Ep. 234
What would you do if you found yourself in a seemingly impossible situation? Would you crumble? Would you find a way to make it through? We'd all like to say we'd make it, but it's a lot easier said than done. Wendy Alexander was put in one of those impossible situations. About to give birth to her cheating, abusive boyfriend's baby. No money in their joint account after he stole it. Saddled with the house debt. And no way to make money after her daughter arrived. She wallowed for a minute, sure...
Mar 04, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 233
It can't be that the only way you can you get what you want, that the only way you can get where you want to go, that the only way you can become who you want to be is LUCK. If that's the case, what's the point? At least that's how Kelea Kanae sees it. You have agency, you have the options all out in front of you, and neuroscience can help! Listen to Kelea talk to Max about his passion for helping others unlock what he was able to unlock for himself. That's not just abundance in terms of money (...
Feb 25, 2026•1 hr 10 min•Season 6Ep. 232
Zoe Karli is in control–at least that's the way she likes it. As a former military officer who also comes from a military family, Zoe is used to things changing...like a lot. As in living in 44 states alot. Instead of letting the change upend her, she calls them "adventures". One "adventure", however, left her helpless: seizures. They threatened to sideline her, and she dipped into a little bit of the "why me" camp. But then came the reframing: she had a CHOICE to either be her own ally or her o...
Feb 18, 2026•1 hr 11 min•Season 6Ep. 231
You can be really good at what you do and not know how to actually run the business part of what you do. And what does that lead to? Nothing good. And what about a partnership? What if you and your partner butt heads and have different ways of doing literally everything? Jo and Vicky of Canine Business Academy know these challenges first hand, and they talk with Max about how they not only dug deep and did the work to become a powerhouse duo using their respective strengths, but also how to scal...
Feb 11, 2026•55 min•Season 6Ep. 230
Italian entrepreneur Dr. Jacopo Iasiello is an international expert in real estate investment, specializing in auctions and short sales. Beginning his career at age 18 as a gemologist in the precious jewelry sector in Italy, creating and developing a successful jewelry franchise that boasted millions of dollars in revenue. After obtaining his Ph.D. in International Business Management, Jacopo moved to Florida to pursue his passion for real estate alongside a group of trusted investors. Listen to...
Feb 04, 2026•47 min•Season 6Ep. 229
Given a 1% chance to survive a brain surgery, Amira Nystrom said "let's go for it". She did survive, but the aftermath was not easy. Called the "neighborhood puppy", she had to start all over, learn how to do everything like a child would, depend on everyone. And that was fine, but what wasn't was her recall. She couldn't remember anyone, not really, and it created anguish. A decision to move from the mainland to Hawaii was the first step in a move toward something new. She chose herself over an...
Jan 28, 2026•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 228
Hypnotherapist Kerie Logan lives by this motto: You have to become what you seek. She's adhered to it since she was old enough to get out of her family's controlling and manipulative crosshairs. Without conditional love being modeled, she could have easily assumed it wasn't in the cards for her. But that didn't stop her from doing everything in her power to get there. Spoiler alert: she did. And now she helps others become what it is they seek, knowing full well that it doesn't matter where you ...
Jan 21, 2026•48 min•Season 6Ep. 227
Expanding your awareness…not just by asking questions, but the right ones. Raj Khedun thinks we're doing this life thing all wrong. When he went to India and met an Avatar, he was told "you know nothing. You don't even know why you're here." Big gulp. But instead of running from it, he leaned in. He read, he researched, he asked questions, he got HUMBLE. And now he's on a mission to help others learn how to distill it all down to the true basics. Extending yourself, giving what you learn away in...
Jan 14, 2026•1 hr 13 min•Season 6Ep. 226
Dr. Brian Alman has been in the mental health field for three decades. He's written 15 books, developed the ACE Assessment (Adverse Childhood Experiences), teaches courses, and is genuinely passionate his work. Listen to him talk to Max about his personal experience with chronic pain as a child and how it forged his path to helping others. It's truly a great episode, one you don't want to miss! *And he may offer a freebie, but you gotta listen to get it! For more from Dr. Brian Alman- www.drbria...
Jan 07, 2026•53 min•Season 6Ep. 225
Getting an education is one thing, but sometimes you need education on the financial part of education. You know, the debt you might go into trying to get the education. Education Advocate & CEO of Champion College Services Mary Lyn Hammer specializes in that very thing. From "what is a credit score" to understanding what paying interest vs principal and beyond, she has made it her life's work to advocate for at-risk students (she was one herself) and provide the tools needed to succeed. It ...
Jan 01, 2026•1 hr 22 min•Season 5Ep. 224
Erik Hatterscheidt knows what it's like to have a high-responsibility job and feel absolutely isolated by it. He also knows how hard it is to start and sustain a business (he's started many) and how failure is a guaranteed part of the journey. Turns out, he's not the only one out there. Men like him gather together around the world as a part of his moto expedition club. They pick a destination, pick a mission (from delivering medical supplies to exploring lost cities), take their motorcycles, an...
Dec 24, 2025•51 min•Season 5Ep. 223
The UK's Andreja Borin is a fitness and life coach (and she's about to get her doctorate), but she had to go through her own "stuff" to realize how to coach others. From an eating disorder to panic attacks to fainting during breathwork, Andreja has been there. She knows the importance of finding the right fit when it comes to seeking help–she got kicked out of group therapy once for not being a good enough participant for goodness sake. This is a must-listen for everyone. Because let's face it.....
Dec 17, 2025•57 min•Season 5Ep. 222
By all accounts, he's successful enough to just sit back and reep the benefits of his hard work. But that's not enough for healthcare CEO Mike Baker. He's on a self-led mission to spread positivity and curate optimism at all costs. Listen as he discusses how he rejects the idea that he's too optimistic and the difference between toxic positive and actual positivity. For more from Mike Baker: The Optimists Way Book @miketheoptimist (Instagram) www.mikebakerHQ.com For More From Sober Coach/Substan...
Dec 10, 2025•46 min•Season 5Ep. 221
Athena Brownson is no stranger to pain. As a former professional skier, she sustained so many injuries, her doctors warned that if she kept it up, she'd have to have her knees replaced before she was 30. After she retired, she found success as a Realtor in the Denver area, and all was great until Athena was hit with a major medical setback. Lyme Disease threatened her bodily peace, her mental peace, her work, everything. The daily pain was debilitating, and yet, she while she was no stranger to ...
Dec 03, 2025•58 min•Season 5Ep. 220
John Kippen is a Motivational Speaker, Resilience and Empowerment Coach, Professional Magician and Bestselling Author . John's 12 + year journey of recovering from the trauma of having his face paralyzed after brain tumor removal surgery, has allowed him to triumph over adversity. He and Max swap stories of adversity and resilience. You don't want to miss it. For more from John: JohnKippen.com TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on-IVeZ4M4U For More From Sober Coach/Substance Abuse Counsel...
Nov 26, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 219
Carolee and Britton Beckham grew up in the Mormon Church. They followed all the steps. They got married. They had children. They believed. And when infidelity became a problem, they went to the Church for guidance, fully expecting healing. When they got the opposite, the couple decided to make a big change, one from within (and without the Church). The Beckhams speak candidly about all the ups and downs of their marital and spiritual journeys and share what saved them. For more from the Beckhams...
Nov 19, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 218
Jason Mazur is a recovering heroin and meth addict who tried EVERYTHING to get and stay clean. Enter ibogaine. It's not approved in the states, but he swears by its effectiveness. And he's here to tell you about his experience and how he's become an advocate for finding what works for you. For more from Jason: Facebook- Jazon Mazur (from Indianapolis) Email: Jason.81@hotmail.com Cell: 812-361-6714 For More From Sober Coach/Substance Abuse Counselor Max Njist, visit MaxNijst.org...
Nov 12, 2025•46 min•Season 5Ep. 217
Psychotherapist Alisa Gracheva specializes in trauma. As you may guess, she has her own story (which is fascinating), and it led her here. She speaks with Max about the importance of self-awareness, explains the physiology of panic attacks, and much more. For more from Alisa: Social Media- @alisa_art Work- www.since.life For More From Sober Coach/Substance Abuse Counselor Max Njist, visit MaxNijst.org...
Nov 05, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 216
Steven "Bo" Belmont is a CEO/Founder of a successful real estate investment firm called Belwood Investments. To look at him, you'd never know he'd been incarcerated...but he was. And he wouldn't change it now if he could. Listen as Bo tells Max about the impact prison made on the man he ultiamtely became. (Spoiler alert: it's inspiring.) For for from Bo: belwoodinvestments.com (or the Belwood Investor app) Book: Fractured To Fractions Email: bo@thebigco.org For More From Sober Coach/Substance Ab...
Oct 29, 2025•49 min•Season 5Ep. 215
About — The Colin James Barth Outreach Mother (of 6) Author, and Charity Founder Julie Barth is a force to be reckoned with. Her daughter Tatym suffers from a rare genetic condition called Primordial Dwarfism, which led her to have over 40 surgeries to repair her trachea. She lost her husband to pancreatic cancer when her oldest was ten and the youngest was six months. And yet, she never quit. Not even when she found herself in a toxic relationship. Not even…fill in the blank with the next hards...
Oct 23, 2025•47 min•Season 5Ep. 214
