Why do so many people stay stuck in the same unhealthy habits, negative thought patterns, and emotional cycles—even when they desperately want to change?

In this episode, Coach Seth welcomes leadership coach and consultant Cherri Kulp for a powerful conversation about neuroscience, emotional intelligence, parenting, leadership, and the incredible ability of the brain to heal and grow.

Together they unpack automatic negative thoughts (ANTs), the science of neuroplasticity, emotional regulation, trauma, post-traumatic growth, imposter phenomenon, and why creating psychologically safe relationships changes everything. Whether you're leading a family, a business, a classroom, or simply trying to become the person God created you to be, this conversation will give you practical tools to renew your thinking and move forward with confidence.

• Why your brain keeps repeating unhealthy patterns
• The science behind neuroplasticity and how your mind can change
• What Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) are—and how to overcome them
• Why emotional safety is one of the greatest gifts a parent or leader can give
• How parents can regulate their own emotions before trying to correct their children
• The difference between surviving trauma and experiencing post-traumatic growth
• Practical ways to reframe negative thinking and build healthier beliefs
• Understanding imposter phenomenon and why so many leaders quietly struggle with it
• Why who you become is more important than what you accomplish

Cherri Kulp is the founder of Internal Garden Coaching & Leadership Solutions, where she helps individuals, leaders, and organizations cultivate healthier mindsets, stronger leadership, and lasting personal growth. Drawing from neuroscience, leadership development, sociology, and faith, Cherri equips people with practical tools to overcome limiting beliefs, regulate emotions, and lead with authenticity and confidence.

Instagram: @UnearthedCC

C#: 574-213-2143

E: info@internalgardencoaching.com

W: https://www.internalgardencoaching.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherrikulp/

The mission at Five Star Life :

Transforming Students' Lives by Challenging the Way they Think, Act, and Lead.

Go to fivestarlife.org to learn more about how we’re changing students' lives.

The Five Star Life App: Download "Five Star Life" on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, personal leadership, emotional intelligence, parenting, and the power of rising above your circumstances.

Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok, and all platforms @TheFiveStarLife

What separates ordinary people from extraordinary ones? In this inspiring episode, Coach Seth and Coach Mia sit down and discuss Indianas running phenom Noah Bontrager—the first athlete in Indiana history to break the four-minute mile—to uncover the mindset that fueled one of the greatest high school running careers in the country.

More than a conversation about athletics, this episode explores discipline, resilience, purpose, gratitude, and the daily decisions that shape greatness. Noah shares in an interview how learning to embrace discomfort, stay present, and focus on small wins has transformed his life, while Coach Seth connects those principles to parenting, leadership, and the Five Star Life mission of helping students rise into their full potential.

• The mindset that helped Noah Bontrager become the first Indiana athlete to break the four-minute mile
• Why greatness is built one small decision at a time—not in one defining moment
• The powerful quote: "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."
• How focusing on the next small step prevents overwhelm and builds confidence
• Why doing hard things strengthens both character and resilience
• The surprising connection between elite athletics, leadership, and everyday life
• Coach Seth explains why excellence isn't someday—it's the next five minutes
• Practical encouragement for parents, students, and anyone pursuing a meaningful life

Noah Bontrager is one of the nation's top distance runners and the first athlete in Indiana history to run a sub-four-minute mile. A graduate of Westview High School and a Five Star Life student, Noah has become known not only for his athletic excellence but also for his humility, discipline, growth mindset, and commitment to maximizing the gifts he's been given. He will continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Notre Dame, where he'll compete in cross country and track while pursuing even greater goals on the national stage.

Instagram: @noahbontrager Sub-4 mile: https://youtu.be/KhD9Wsar9cQ?si=X2zaYpE1hxGbPlpE

The mission at Five Star Life :

Transforming Students' Lives by Challenging the Way they Think, Act, and Lead.

Go to fivestarlife.org to learn more about how we’re changing students' lives.

The Five Star Life App: Download "Five Star Life" on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, personal leadership, emotional intelligence, parenting, and the power of rising above your circumstances.

Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok, and all platforms @TheFiveStarLife

Mindset, growth mindset, self improvement, personal development, success mindset, motivation, leadership, emotional intelligence, confidence, mental toughness, resilience, self development

What if the most important investment you make this week isn't another meeting, another practice, or another achievement—but one intentional conversation with your child? In this episode, Coach Seth is joined by producer Kevin for a powerful discussion on why meaningful conversations have the power to shape a child's future and strengthen families for generations.

As Five Star Life continues introducing its new RISE curriculum, Coach Seth explores the neuroscience behind how children learn, why parents often fall into "autopilot," and how intentional parenting can completely change the trajectory of a young person's life. From emotional intelligence and neuroplasticity to practical parenting tools and the Five Star Life Parent App, this conversation is filled with hope, encouragement, and actionable strategies for parents, grandparents, educators, and anyone investing in the next generation.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why one intentional conversation each week can transform your relationship with your child
• The neuroscience of neuroplasticity and why your brain—and your child's brain—can always change
• How the Five Star Life Parent App helps families build stronger connections through simple weekly conversations
• Why parents often react from fear instead of leading from love—and how to change that pattern
• Understanding the Polyvagal Ladder and how emotional regulation helps children thrive
• Coach Seth's emotional realization that he has only a limited number of meaningful conversations left before his youngest son graduates
• Why living on "autopilot" causes families to miss the moments that matter most
• Practical tools to help parents become more intentional, emotionally healthy leaders at home

The mission at Five Star Life :

Transforming Students' Lives by Challenging the Way they Think, Act, and Lead.

Go to fivestarlife.org to learn more about how we’re changing students' lives.

The Five Star Life App: Download "Five Star Life" on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, personal leadership, emotional intelligence, parenting, and the power of rising above your circumstances.

Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok, and all platforms @TheFiveStarLife

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your circumstances, your past, or your opportunities—but your focus? In this episode, Coach Seth and Coach Mia unpack one of the most powerful lessons from the Five Star Life RISE curriculum: wherever your focus goes, growth follows.

Drawing from neuroscience, parenting, emotional intelligence, and real-life stories from Five Star Life programs, Coach Seth explains how our brains are constantly strengthening whatever we repeatedly focus on. Whether it's fear, rejection, anxiety, gratitude, growth, or possibility, our focus ultimately shapes our emotions, behaviors, relationships, and future. This conversation will challenge you to rethink what you're feeding your mind and how a simple shift in focus can change the trajectory of your life.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why "Where Your Focus Goes, Growth Flows" may be the most important mindset principle you'll ever learn
• The science behind neuroplasticity and how your brain strengthens whatever you repeatedly think about
• Powerful stories from Five Star Life's LIFT Program and the transformation happening in struggling families
• How connection, listening, and intentional conversations can completely change a child's future
• Coach Seth's personal story about adoption and how one simple shift in focus shaped his entire identity
• The hidden danger of focusing on rejection, fear, regret, and worst-case scenarios
• Why most people wait until a crisis to change—and how to break that cycle
• Practical ways parents can help their children build healthier thought patterns and emotional resilience

The mission at Five Star Life :

Transforming Students' Lives by Challenging the Way they Think, Act, and Lead.

Go to fivestarlife.org to learn more about how we’re changing students' lives.

The Five Star Life App: Download "Five Star Life" on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, personal leadership, emotional intelligence, parenting, and the power of rising above your circumstances.

Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok, and all platforms @TheFiveStarLife

What if the thoughts holding you back are not facts, but patterns your brain has simply learned to repeat? In this episode, Coach Seth and Coach Mia introduce Five Star Life’s new theme, RISE, and unpack how real change begins in the mind.

Through stories from basketball, parenting, public speaking, and student development, Coach Seth explains how automatic negative thoughts, fear, anxiety, and old mental pathways can quietly shape the way we show up in life. This episode breaks down neuroplasticity, the power of “yet,” the nervous system, and practical tools parents can use to help their kids move from fear and shutdown back into clarity, confidence, and connection.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• The new Five Star Life theme: RISE — move upward, improve, and experience positive change
• Why your thoughts are not always facts
• How automatic negative thoughts become mental “programs”
• Neuroplasticity: why your brain can change and your future can change
• The power of adding the word “yet” to what you believe about yourself
• How parents can help kids name emotions, calm their nervous system, and regain control
• Coach Seth’s pregame anxiety story and how it changed his mindset forever
• Why “name it to tame it” is a powerful emotional regulation tool
• How breathing, pausing, and awareness help move kids back toward confidence and clarity

The mission at Five Star Life :

Transforming Students' Lives by Challenging the Way they Think, Act, and Lead.

Go to fivestarlife.org to learn more about how we’re changing students' lives.

The Five Star Life App: Download "Five Star Life" on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, personal leadership, emotional intelligence, parenting, and the power of rising above your circumstances.

Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok, and all platforms @TheFiveStarLife

Why do some people thrive through adversity while others feel trapped by it? In this episode, Coach Seth and Coach Mia unpack one of the most powerful mindset shifts a person can make: understanding that work is not the enemy—it’s the process required to thrive.

Drawing from months of student interviews across the country, the conversation explores what young people are actually learning from Five Star Life’s curriculum and why lessons on emotional regulation, goal-setting, resilience, and mindset continue to create lasting transformation. From Polyvagal Theory and anxiety management to building confidence through small wins, this episode provides practical tools for students, parents, leaders, and anyone looking to take ownership of their future.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• The surprising lesson students said impacted their lives more than any other
• How Polyvagal Theory helps kids manage anxiety, pressure, conflict, and stress
• Why goals build confidence through execution—not just achievement
• The power of "stacking wins" when life feels overwhelming
• What students say they need more help with: grief, anxiety, emotional regulation, and mental health
• Why work has become a negative word in modern culture
• The mindset difference between people who thrive and people who stay stuck
• How learned helplessness quietly destroys motivation and hope
• The simple shift that changed how students view school, homework, and responsibility
• Why your mindset about work influences every area of your life

The mission at Five Star Life :

Transforming Students' Lives by Challenging the Way they Think, Act, and Lead.

Go to fivestarlife.org to learn more about how we’re changing students' lives.

The Five Star Life App: Download "Five Star Life" on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, personal leadership, emotional intelligence, parenting, and the power of rising above your circumstances.

Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok, and all platforms @TheFiveStarLife

What happens when a 27-year-old Army Ranger becomes the youngest mayor in Terre Haute history? In this powerful episode, Coach Seth sits down with Mayor Brandon Sakbun to unpack leadership, resilience, education reform, workforce development, and the future of young people in America.

From the third-grade teacher who first sparked Brandon’s dream of becoming mayor to the brutal lessons learned inside Ranger School, this conversation dives deep into purpose, adversity, empathy, and public service. The episode also explores why traditional education is losing students, why hands-on experiential learning is transforming kids’ lives, and what schools must do differently to prepare students for the real world. Joined by Five Star Life Summit Director Keenan Story, the conversation highlights how innovative learning environments are helping students rediscover confidence, purpose, and passion for learning.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How a third-grade teacher inspired Mayor Brandon Sakbun to pursue leadership and public service
• The brutal reality of becoming an Army Ranger and the mindset required to endure adversity
• Why Gen Z is struggling with identity, purpose, and long-term commitment
• The leadership principle of balancing 10 different perspectives around one shared mission
• Why workforce development—not test scores—should become the future of education
• The danger of students graduating without real-world skills or direction
• How Five Star Life’s Summit programs are helping students thrive through experiential learning
• Why exposure, mentorship, and hands-on experiences can completely reshape a child’s future
• The importance of parks, community spaces, and connection in fighting technology addiction
• How empathy, resilience, and passion shape great leaders

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Mayor Brandon Sakbun made history in 2023 by becoming the youngest mayor in Terre Haute, Indiana history at just 27 years old. A graduate of Indiana University and former U.S. Army Ranger, Brandon is passionate about leadership, workforce development, economic growth, and building stronger communities. His administration focuses on population growth, infrastructure, public spaces, and creating opportunities that help young people and families thrive.

Instagram: @bsakbun

W: https://www.terrehaute.in.gov/index.php

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonsakbun/

The Five Star Life App: Download "Five Star Life" on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Go to https://www.fivestarlife.org/ to learn more about how we’re changing students' lives.

Our mission at Five Star Life is simple: Transforming Students' Lives by Challenging the Way they Think, Act, and Lead.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, personal leadership, and the power of rising above your circumstances.

Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok, and all platforms @TheFiveStarLife

Why are so many kids—and adults—surrounded by people, yet still deeply lonely? In this episode, Coach Seth and Coach Mia unpack the growing social disconnect happening in our culture and reveal why technology, fear, and unhealthy habits are quietly destroying authentic relationships.

From vulnerable conversations about loneliness and social anxiety to practical lessons on loyalty, accountability, emotional intelligence, and communication, this episode dives deep into the skills required to build long-lasting friendships in a disconnected world. Coach Seth also shares why hands-on learning environments are transforming struggling students, why many kids have been mislabeled for years, and how meaningful connection—not performance—is ultimately what people crave most.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why America is becoming one of the loneliest countries in the world
• The “5 Habits” of long-lasting friendships taught inside Five Star Life schools
• Why vulnerability is the first step to authentic connection
• “Stab Them in the Front” — the powerful communication principle changing relationships
• How phones and technology are rewiring kids’ social development
• The dangerous difference between loyalty and manipulation
• Why some students labeled “slow” are actually brilliant learners
• How innovative hands-on education is helping students rediscover confidence and purpose

The Five Star Life App: Download "Five Star Life" on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Go to https://www.fivestarlife.org/ to learn more about how we’re changing students' lives.

Our mission at Five Star Life is simple: Transforming Students' Lives by Challenging the Way they Think, Act, and Lead.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, personal leadership, and the power of rising above your circumstances.

Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok, and all platforms @TheFiveStarLife