Dr. Kirk Honda is a psychotherapist, professor, and host of @PsychologyInSeattle . In this episode, we discuss:

07:55 When Being “The Good Child” Shapes You

11:24 What Happens When You Put Your Needs Last?

14:52 Why Do We Pull Away From Closeness?

19:41 Can Different Relationship Needs Work?

24:04 What’s Really Beneath a Recurring Argument?

30:10 What Makes an Apology Effective?

36:28 What If the Same Hurt Keeps Happening?

39:55 Boundaries and the Three Phases of Assertiveness

46:06 Does Healing Require Forgiveness?

51:50 You Deserve to Take Care of Yourself

53:13 What Makes Life Worth Living?

54:13 Where to Find Dr. Kirk Honda

Links:

https://freedompact.co.uk/newsletter​ (Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Newsletter)

https://www.Instagram.com/freedompactpod

whttps://ww.twitter.com/freedompactpod

Email: freedompact@gmail.com

Disclaimer: The Freedom Pact Podcast is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to constitute, nor should it be relied upon as, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or the podcast. Listeners should not disregard, delay, or substitute professional medical advice because of information discussed on the podcast or associated materials.

Ian Gillan is a singer and rock legend, most notably known as the lead singer and lyricist of Deep Purple, considered to be one of the pioneers of rock and heavy metal having been inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In this interview, Ian & I discuss:

00:00 Childhood curiosity, infinity and humanity’s future

02:15 Thinking for yourself in a rapidly changing world

04:42 Creativity, storytelling, and God and Darwin in a pub

06:23 Finding a thread that connects your ideas

07:57 Turning fear into art: the story behind “Child in Time”

10:54 How a teenage dream became a career

13:15 Taking the first step towards your dream

14:40 Realising you’re already living your dream

16:12 Pressure, chance and the making of “Smoke on the Water”

19:08 What makes life worth living? Planning beyond your lifetime

20:00 Ian’s “Talking Gib’rish” tourFind more at Ian's website: https://www.gillan.com/Our Links:

https://freedompact.co.uk/newsletter​ (Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Newsletter)

https://www.Instagram.com/freedompact

whttps://ww.twitter.com/freedompactpod

Email: freedompact@gmail.com

Mark Dowdle is an Ultra Endurance athlete and the winner of the Last Soul Ultra 2026. In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 Running 395 miles: Physical or mental endurance?

01:33 Faith, spiritual strength and self-worth

03:23 Wanting to win without being defined by results

07:02 What drives Mark to run?

10:38 What discomfort reveals about your mind

12:47 Handling doubt and building mental resilience

16:18 Mind games at the Last Soul Ultra

19:57 Protecting your focus and controlling what you can

21:38 Racing without a finish line

23:41 Finding joy three days into a race

26:19 Loop 67: Getting through the darkest moment

28:53 Asking for support when the race gets hard

30:19 Choosing the right people for your inner circle

31:39 Honest self-talk versus forced positivity

33:40 How Mark trains for backyard ultras

36:15 Training non-negotiables and the stress of optimisation

38:21 Doing hard things in everyday life

40:32 Life after winning: Why routine is the reward

43:45 Success, identity and staying grounded

45:49 The message Mark wants people to take away

47:48 What makes life worth living?

49:38 Closing remarks and where to find MarkLinks:

https://freedompact.co.uk/newsletter​ (Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Newsletter)

https://www.Instagram.com/freedompact

whttps://ww.twitter.com/freedompactpod

Email: freedompact@gmail.com