The Eternal Optimist

Matt Drinkhahn sits down with Ellen Petry Leanse for a thoughtful and impactful conversation about the power of curiosity, slowing down, and embracing life’s natural seasons. Ellen shares insights from her deep experience in neuroscience, coaching, and personal reflection, offering practical tools like the ABC method (Aware, Breathe, Curiosity) and the power of open-ended questions to navigate challenges and foster connection. Together, Matt and Ellen explore the idea of the “midlife chrysalis” and how obstacles—especially those within ourselves—can become gifts if we choose to see them that way. This conversation is a guide to approaching life with presence, purpose, and a brain-aware mindset.Chapters00:00:00 – A Door Opens: Welcome to a Transformative Conversation00:00:24 – Meet Ellen: The Curious Brain Enthusiast00:01:23 – Behind the Brain: Where Science Meets Everyday Life00:03:39 – Curiosity: The Brain’s Hidden Superpower00:06:23 – From Theory to Practice: Curiosity in Action00:09:35 – Life’s Seasons: Navigating Growth and Change00:18:49 – The Chrysalis Moment: Midlife Reimagined00:22:23 – The Zipline Story: A Lesson from the Brink00:24:28 – Pain or Information? Redefining How We Process Suffering00:27:45 – Brain Balance: Finding the Equilibrium We Crave00:29:35 – The Journaling Effect: Magic in Daily Reflection00:32:18 – Core Values: The Blueprint for Inner Peace00:36:05 – The Obstacle Within: Confronting the Self00:37:51 – Dreams and Impact: A Future Worth Building00:39:53 – Final Threads: Wisdom to Carry ForwardBook RecommendationsI Never Thought of It That Way by Mónica GuzmánThe Source by Dr. Tara SwartLinks and ResourcesEllen Petry LeanseEllen on LinkedInEllen on InstagramThe Brain and BeyondThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Matt welcomes Jeff Fields, a former law enforcement officer whose journey took him through the depths of addiction and the fight to reclaim his life. Jeff shares the tough choices he faced, the trauma he carried from both childhood and his career, and the turning points that led him to sobriety. With honesty and heart, Jeff opens up about the impact of his addiction on his family, the critical role of faith in his recovery, and the lessons he’s learned about resilience, humility, and the power of moving forward. It's a talk about struggle, redemption, and the strength it takes to rewrite your story.Chapters00:00:00 – A Guest with a Serendipitous Story00:00:43 – Jeff Fields: A Life Unfiltered00:00:58 – The Moment Sobriety Became Non-Negotiable00:01:55 – Behind the Badge: A Career in Shadows00:02:44 – When Two Worlds Collide: A Law Enforcement Love Story00:03:40 – The Cost of Addiction: A Family’s Turning Point00:06:49 – Unpacking the Past: Therapy’s Hardest Questions00:13:29 – Duty and Darkness: What Law Enforcement Leaves Behind00:16:41 – Ghosts of the Past: Confronting Childhood Trauma00:18:48 – Fragmented Memories, Whole Truths00:19:12 – Naming Demons: Trauma and Addiction’s Link00:20:39 – The Withdrawal Nobody Warns You About00:22:20 – On the Brink: Detox and Survival00:24:07 – Presence: The Gift That Changes Everything00:25:37 – Sobriety Is a Daily Battle, Not a One-Time Win00:27:57 – From Cop to Author: Sharing the Unvarnished Truth00:31:47 – Books That Heal and Inspire: Jeff’s PicksBook RecommendationsThe Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.Dangerous Prayers by Craig GroeschelThe BibleLinks and ResourcesJeff FieldsJeff on LinkedInSober from Sin13:33 ConsultingThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Matt welcomes Cheryl A. Heller to hear how she went from corporate executive to fractional CFO and strategic advisor. They explore the really hard times behind balancing a demanding career with family challenges, including how Cheryl supported her daughter through anxiety and personal growth. Cheryl shares insights for business owners, from understanding financial metrics to setting up KPIs that drive success. The conversation also touches on building resilience, managing burnout, and finding clarity in chaos. It’s an honest look at the lessons learned through challenges and how they shape leadership and life.Chapters00:00:00 - Where It All Begins00:00:39 - Who Is Cheryl Heller?00:01:06 - From Corporate Walls to New Horizons00:02:08 - Numbers Tell a Story00:02:41 - The Chaos We Carry00:04:10 - Breaking Through Family Storms00:13:03 - The Leap Into Entrepreneurship00:15:41 - Inside the CFO Mindset00:22:13 - Success Beyond the Spreadsheet00:25:13 - Wisdom Worth Sharing00:28:52 - Rapid Reflections and Closing NotesBook RecommendationsAll books authored by Dan SullivanThe 4-Hour Workweek by Tim FerrissLinks and ResourcesCheryl on LinkedInCheryl on InstagramDemystifying Financial Jargon: 30 Terms You Need to KnowStrategic Board CollectivePillar One ConsultingThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Matt welcomes Kelly Resendez, founder of GoBundance Women, an ambitious leader and advocate for women's empowerment. Kelly shares her life-changing journey from perfectionism and overachievement to accepting abundance and authenticity. She opens up about experiencing tragedies, including supporting her family through unthinkable hard times, and how these experiences shaped her commitment to a shame-free, present-focused life. Kelly gives a look into the power of feminine energy, the impact of stress, and how we can create a more balanced and inclusive world. Tune in to learn about tools to overcome self-sabotage and reclaim their worth.Chapters00:00:00 - Energy-Filled Welcome and Start00:02:05 - Meet the Trailblazer: Kelly Resendez00:06:34 - Breaking Free from Perfectionism00:11:36 - A Defining Awakening Moment00:19:06 - Turning Challenges into Growth00:26:01 - A Radical Take on Health Advocacy00:27:56 - Redefining Women’s Leadership00:34:12 - Lightning Round of Insights and FarewellLinks and ResourcesKelly ResendezGoBundance WomenGoodLeapBig Voices: Increase Joy, Reduce Suffering, Think DifferentlyFoundation to Sustainable Success: A Conscious Guide to Mastering the Mortgage BusinessKelly on LinkedInKelly on InstagramThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Matt reconnects with Cathy Christen, a powerhouse in leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal development. Cathy shares how she went from burnout at the peak of her career to finding sustainable success by redefining priorities and leadership strategies. They talk about how important it is to live intentionally, the power of mentorship, and how Cathy’s experiences have shaped her mission to help others achieve financial and time freedom. She explains how shifting from a "do it all" mindset to empowering others has allowed her to reach new levels of growth and fulfillment in her life.Chapters00:00:00 - Starting the Eternal Optimist Journey00:00:14 - A Reunion 15 Years in the Making00:00:54 - From Small Beginnings to Big Impact00:01:13 - Reflecting on Shared History00:02:21 - Early Struggles That Shaped a Vision00:04:34 - The Breaking Point That Changed Everything00:10:05 - A Mentor’s Words That Sparked a Revolution00:13:20 - Choosing Change Over Comfort00:19:29 - Building a Dream Team for Success00:21:44 - The Power of Trusting Your Team00:23:32 - Shifting from Doing to Leading00:24:44 - Redefining Control in Business and Life00:27:47 - Finding a Partner Who Amplifies Your Potential00:31:23 - Stepping into the Power of Feminine Energy00:34:45 - Daily Habits That Transform Mindsets00:38:25 - Rapid-Fire Reflections and Final TakeawaysLinks and ResourcesCathy ChristenCathy on LinkedInCathy on InstagramGoals + Greatness Unleashed PodcastGoals + Greatness on YouTubeGoBundance WomenThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Jonathan Bogner’s story is one of resilience and unyielding optimism. After surviving two strokes, navigating aphasia, and ultimately undergoing a life-altering heart transplant, Jonathan has redefined his purpose. A producer of films and reality shows, Jonathan now uses his platform to advocate for organ donation and shine a light on the challenges faced by caregivers and patients alike. He shares how rigorous optimism, rugged flexibility, and resilience have become his guiding principles in overcoming adversity. Chapters00:00:00 - A warm welcome to the Eternal Optimist Podcast00:00:19 - Meet Jonathan Bogner: A man of resilience00:00:57 - Achievements that paved the way00:02:21 - The battle begins: Health challenges and heart failure00:07:39 - Living life with a defibrillator00:10:25 - When your chest starts beeping: A surreal realization00:12:48 - The toll of repeated shocks and heart degradation00:15:00 - "Does size matter?" The heart transplant waiting game00:18:15 - The unexpected gift of a woman’s heart00:20:07 - The delicate balance of optimism and medical reality00:22:48 - Inside the heart transplant experience00:27:45 - Aphasia and intubation: A fight to communicate00:31:13 - Countdown to a heart transplant00:34:41 - Redefining routines post-transplant00:36:08 - Mental health and the philosophy of optimism00:42:01 - Juggling life’s roles: Caregiver, creator, and survivor00:45:00 - The three R's: Rigorous optimism, resilience, and rugged flexibility00:48:50 - Wisdom and reflections to carry forward00:55:15 - Lightning round: Favorite books and life-changing insightsLinks and ResourcesJonathan BognerJonathan on LinkedInPersonal StoriesJonathan on IMDbBook RecommendationsMaster of Change by Brad StulbergThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Matt sits down with Chris Grainger to explore how life's hardest challenges can shape purpose and leadership. Chris shares his journey from losing his daughter to embracing his faith and building "The Lion Within Us" ministry. They discuss the importance of empathy, resilience, and stepping into roles of leadership at home and in the community. Chris and Matt talk about the losses they’ve experienced, leaning into faith, and the responsibility of building others up while being grounded in their values.Chapters00:00:00 - Welcome to the Eternal Optimist00:00:22 - Who is Chris Grainger?00:01:21 - A Journey of Faith00:02:29 - The Shift to Entrepreneurship00:03:36 - Facing Life’s Hardest Challenges00:05:19 - Turning Loss into Compassion00:10:54 - A Ministry Born from Purpose00:17:20 - Navigating Faith and Politics00:27:59 - Creating a Space for Growth00:32:46 - Rapid Fire and Closing InsightsLinks and Resources:Chris on LinkedInThe Lion Within UsBook Recommendations:Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée MauborgneAll books by C.S. LewisThe BibleThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Matt sits down with Chris Taylor, CEO of Actionable, to discuss the transformative power of curiosity, resilience, and personal growth in both life and business. Chris talks about going through the fallout of his business partner's sudden legal troubles, balancing personal and professional crises, and the long journey toward forgiveness and healing. From the importance of breathwork and gratitude journaling to building a culture of "leaning in," this episode is a masterclass in overcoming challenges and leading with intention. Tune in for strategies and an inspiring story of growth through adversity.Chapters00:00:00 - Meeting Chris Taylor: The Eternal Optimist Who Turns Challenges into Opportunities00:01:33 - A Lego Guitar, A Life of Curiosity: The Artifacts That Define Chris00:04:51 - Above the Meth Lab: A Canadian's Take on U.S. Elections00:08:24 - When the World Falls Apart: Surviving Business and Personal Crises00:15:56 - Breathing Through Chaos: Mastering Stress with Simple Techniques00:20:57 - Pedaling Toward Peace: How Cycling Fuels Joy and Freedom00:25:56 - Mastermind Talks Magic: Finding Community and Perspective00:27:18 - Breaking Free: Moving from Survival to Purposeful Growth00:29:15 - Turning 40: Reflecting on Life’s Biggest Questions00:30:17 - Gratitude, Growth, and Game-Changing Habits00:34:38 - Chris’s Journey to Building a Behavior Change Platform00:36:36 - Books That Shape Us: Lessons from Godin, Vaynerchuk, and More00:44:53 - Lightning Round of Inspiration: Optimistic Books, Music, and Life TipsLinks and ResourcesChris on LinkedInActionableBook RecommendationsTiny Habits by BJ Fogg The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan Dr. Benjamin HardyLinchpin by Seth GodinAll books by Seth GodinAll books by Gary VaynerchukThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Matt dives deep with Kasim Aslam to talk about how our understanding of money, labor, and innovation impacts, for better or worse, the way we work and live. From the flaws of fiat currency and the petrodollar system to the transformative potential of AI, Kasim pushes back against societal norms about growth and efficiency. He gives us a look into building businesses by harnessing people’s potential, empowering global talent, and embracing the inefficiencies that make small businesses thrive. Their conversation gives a fresh perspective on the future of work and society.Chapters00:00:00 - Start of an Enlightening Journey00:00:37 - Meet the Marketing Titan: Kasim Aslam00:01:41 - The Shocking Truth About the Petrodollar00:05:01 - Inflation: The Silent Thief of Labor Value00:11:25 - How AI Could Reshape Society00:15:58 - People: The Miracle Behind Every Business00:21:34 - Unleashing Human Potential in Business00:28:52 - The Hidden Power of Small Business Inefficiencies00:29:37 - Why Non-Scalable Processes Are Game-Changing00:33:41 - The Surprising Value of International Teams00:38:17 - Cultural Nuances That Can Transform Hiring Success00:42:40 - The Black Box of Delegation: A Revolutionary Approach00:46:01 - Closing Reflections on People, Purpose, and ProgressLinks and ResourcesKasim AslamKasim on LinkedInDRIVEN™ MastermindDownload The Book of Threads by Kasim AslamArcytexPareto TalentFind more hereThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Matt sits down with Mandy McAllister, CEO of GoBundance Women, to find out what it was like to go from small-town roots to leading a thriving community of high-achieving women. Mandy shares her story of resilience, from recovering from a debilitating injury in her teens to navigating the hard lesson of being defrauded in a major investment. Along the way, she explores her approach to turning every challenge into a learning experience, pushing past traditional ideas of success, and embracing the power of experimentation in life and business. They also discuss the role of community, shifting mindsets, and the freedom that comes from letting go of perfectionism.Chapters00:00:00 - Unveiling Today's Guest00:00:21 - Meet Mandy McAllister: A Unique Path to Leadership00:00:59 - From Small-Town Girl to Impact Maker00:02:58 - A Defining Injury and the Power of Resilience00:05:08 - Lessons Learned from Fraud and Failure00:07:01 - Shaping Resilience: Mandy’s Mindset Mastery00:16:47 - Strength in Numbers: The Impact of Community00:19:36 - Hard-Earned Advice for Ambitious Women00:21:36 - Life as an Experiment: New Perspectives on Big Decisions00:23:01 - The Complexities of High-Achieving Women00:24:27 - Personal Growth Through Anger Management00:27:30 - Experimenting in Business: A Formula for Success00:32:45 - Key Mindset Shifts for Aspiring Investors00:34:20 - Books That Shape a Leader’s Journey00:41:17 - Music, Joy, and the Pursuit of OptimismLinks and ResourcesMandy on LinkedIn GoBundance WomenGoBundance Women on InstagramGoBundance Women on FacebookMandy on YouTubeMandy’s LinkTreeBook Recommendations:Think and Grow Rich for Women by Sharon LechterThe Collective Wisdom of High-Performing Women by Colleen MooreheadIntellectual Foreplay by Eve Eschner HoganThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!