Episode Introduction: “From Junkie to Judge – A Journey of Resilience, Recovery, and Justice”

Welcome to another powerful edition of the Transforming Lives panel podcast. I’m your host, Sharmin Prince, joined by co‑host Mitzy Dadoun, and today we’ve got an extraordinary guest whose story embodies the very heart of our mission.

Meet Mary Beth O’Connor—a former IV meth addict who spent her teens and twenties battling severe trauma, PTSD, and anxiety. After 15 years of crushing addiction, she hit rock bottom in 1994, entered rehab, and began a gritty, honest recovery that included three relapses in the first five months—proof that sobriety is rarely a straight line.

But Mary Beth didn’t just stop there. Six years later, she reclaimed a lifelong dream, earned a seat at Berkeley Law, and rose to become a federal administrative law judge. Today she’s a director at She Recovers Foundation and Life Ring Secular Recovery, a prolific writer, and a passionate advocate who trains lawyers, judges, and professionals on the hidden intersections of trauma, mental health, and substance use.

In this episode we’ll explore:

• The early roots of her addiction—how childhood abuse set the stage for meth use at 16.
• The crucial role of integrated trauma therapy and comprehensive mental‑health evaluations in lasting sobriety.
• Why most people arrested for drug possession don’t have an addiction, and how that misconception fuels ineffective, punitive treatment.
• The concept of multiple pathways to healing—from 12‑step programs to secular peer support, yoga, meditation, and individualized recovery plans.
• Practical tools for families—CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) and the book Beyond Addiction—that replace “tough love” with evidence‑based, compassionate support.
• Real‑world solutions for the unhoused, emergency‑room interventions, and medication‑assisted treatment that can literally save lives.
• And Mary Beth’s message of hope: “Start where you are. Even if you’re not sure you can stay sober, you can begin the process.”

Stick around for a rapid‑fire round that reveals Mary Beth’s favorite book, her go‑to comfort song, and the one word she over‑uses (spoiler: she’s still figuring it out).

If you’re a survivor, a loved one, a professional in the legal or health fields, or simply someone seeking inspiration, this conversation will remind you that it’s never too late to start over—and that a brighter future is possible when we combine resilience, the right support, and a willingness to re‑imagine recovery.

Press play and let Mary Beth’s triumph transform your perspective.

**Episode Introduction – “Transforming Lives: Mastering Resilience & Burnout”**

Welcome to *Transforming Lives*, the podcast where we dive deep into the science of well‑being, the art of leadership, and the tools you need to thrive in today’s high‑stress world. In today’s episode, your hosts Sharmin Prince and Mitzy Dadoun guide you through a powerful, grounding breathing exercise before inviting a remarkable guest—Dr. Eva Selhub, an internationally recognized resilience expert, physician, former Harvard Medical School instructor, and author of six bestselling books, including *Resilience for Dummies* and *Your Health Destiny*.

Dr. Selhub unpacks the fundamental difference between **stress** and **burnout**, explaining how our bodies’ natural homeostatic balance (homeostasis) is constantly challenged by everyday imbalances—what she calls “entropy” and “neg‑entropy.” She shows how the brain’s built‑in alarm system (the stress response) can be either **manageable**—triggering adaptive coping like eating when hungry—or **unmanageable**, leading to chronic activation, allostatic load, and ultimately burnout.

Listeners will learn:

* Why our modern coping mechanisms—screen time, comfort food, and instant dopamine hits—are largely maladaptive, while nature, connection, and purposeful activity remain the true resilience boosters.
* A **five‑minute “Shield” meditation** (Slow‑down, Honor, Inhale, Explore, Listen, Decision) that instantly resets the nervous system and shifts you from a victim mindset to a co‑creator mindset.
* The **six pillars of resilience**—Physical vitality, Emotional intelligence, Mindset, Relationships, Spiritual connection, and Leadership responsibility—each with practical questions to assess and strengthen your foundation.
* How Dr. Selhub’s expertise translates into executive leadership, helping leaders cultivate self‑awareness, self‑compassion, and organizational coherence.
* A sneak peek at her new online program, *Foundations of Mastering Resilience*, which delivers lifelong access to videos, workbooks, and guided meditations.

We’ll also hear rapid‑fire answers that reveal Dr. Selhub’s favorite mood‑boosting song, the most overrated wellness advice, the biggest myth about burnout, and her go‑to recommendation—*The Power of Now*.

Whether you’re a busy professional, a budding leader, or anyone yearning for a healthier, more purposeful life, this episode equips you with science‑backed insights and actionable tools to transform stress into sustained resilience. Tune in, breathe deeply, and get ready to reclaim your vitality.

**Episode Intro: “Why You Can’t Find Love – and What to Do About It”**

In this episode we sit down with Ted — author of *Here’s Why You Can’t Find Love* and a self‑declared “relationship truth‑teller.” Ted returns for a second round to pull back the curtain on the hidden economics and biology that keep so many of us stuck in dead‑end romances.

We’ll hear Ted lay out the staggering numbers: more than half of marriages end in divorce, costing U.S. corporations $300 billion in lost productivity and another $30 billion in taxpayer‑funded social services. He argues that the problem isn’t a lack of love; it’s a lack of **relationship skills and competencies**—the same kind of expertise you’d expect from a CFO before you’d hand them a balance sheet.

From the chemistry of oxytocin and testosterone to the “radio‑station” metaphor that shows how the stories we inherit shape our expectations, Ted reveals the universal truths he uncovered while studying human behavior across continents. He challenges the old script of “searching for love first,” urging listeners instead to **look for compatibility in money, health, parenting, sexuality, conflict‑resolution, and more**, and to develop those qualities in themselves.

We’ll also explore the cultural history behind how society’s attitudes toward courtship have shifted—from 1700s England’s failed experiment with “women choosing their own men,” to the 20th‑century sexual revolutions that left many navigating a sea of mixed signals and “game.”

If you’ve ever felt caught in a cycle of relationships that go nowhere, or wondered why the “love‑language” talk feels hollow, this conversation offers a no‑fluff, data‑driven roadmap to building the kind of partnership that actually produces love as a **by‑product**, not a prerequisite.

Grab your notebook, take a deep breath, and get ready for an eye‑opening, empowering dive into the mechanics of modern romance. 🎧✨

**Welcome to “Transforming Lives,” the podcast where tech, health, and humanity collide.**

In today’s episode, hosts Charmin Prince and Mitzi Dadun guide us through a grounding breathing exercise before turning the mic over to an extraordinary guest: **Dr. Atif Khan**—a software developer by day, stand‑up comic and Michael Jackson tribute artist by night, and the visionary behind **Life Immortal**, an app that reimagines organ donation as a social‑media‑powered match‑making platform.

Atif shares the spark that ignited his mission—a chance encounter with a non‑profit organ‑donation drive during COVID and the stories of surgeon friends on the front lines. He explains how Life Immortal lets donors and recipients create secure profiles, instantly locate matches, and connect via chat, audio, or video—aiming to cut through bureaucracy, reduce emotional strain, and ultimately make the act of giving an organ feel as natural as sharing a post online.

We also dive into his broader philosophy of “immortality”: not a mystical afterlife, but the idea that our contributions can live on in others, especially through life‑saving transplants. Atif talks about the future of AI‑driven organ matching, the promise of bio‑engineered organs, and the urgent need for policy change—like opt‑out donor systems—to accelerate the process.

To wrap things up, the hosts fire off a rapid‑fire round where Atif reveals his app‑store preferences, coffee vs. code habits, favorite Michael Jackson track, and even what a “Billie Jean of organ donation” would be (hint: it’s the kidney). He closes with a timeless reminder: life is beautiful, simple joys are priceless, and every breath is worth celebrating.

Stay tuned—this conversation blends humor, heart, and high‑tech ambition, showing how a single app can turn a click into a second chance at life. 🎙️✨

**Episode Intro – “Transforming Lives: From Bars to Blessings with Matt Melvin”**

Welcome back to *Transforming Lives*, the podcast where we dive deep into stories of hardship, healing, and radical change. I’m your host, Charmin Prince, joined by my co‑host Mitzi Dadun, and today we’re honored to sit down with a truly compelling guest—Matt Melvin, author of the raw, unflinching memoir *Bullied Behind Bars*.

Matt’s journey is a stark reminder of how a series of impulsive choices can tumble a life into the federal prison system, where he endured bullying, isolation, and the harsh realities of incarceration. Yet, amid those walls, he discovered unexpected sources of hope: relentless journaling, daily Bible study, and a deepening relationship with God. After two stints behind bars, Matt emerged with a powerful new identity—one that refuses to fit into any “box,” even after a later‑in‑life diagnosis of Asperger’s.

In this episode we’ll explore:

- **The power of vulnerability:** How men’s groups and honest, painful storytelling became Matt’s lifeline.
- **Living with neurodivergence:** The impact of his autism diagnosis on self‑understanding and impulse management.
- **Faith in the furnace:** The near‑death experience that thrust him into a deeper, fire‑filled walk with Jesus.
- **Practical tools for transformation:** Journaling, prayer, reading (from Stephen Covey to the Bible), and the importance of finding a tribe that challenges and supports you.
- **Key takeaways for anyone feeling trapped:** The first step is admitting the mistake, then seeking connection—whether through a men’s weekend, a support group, or simply reaching out to Matt himself.

Matt also shares rapid‑fire insights—one word that described him before prison (“Angry”), after prison (“Empathetic”), the most valuable skill he learned behind bars (journaling with a positive attitude), and his definition of freedom: *Fearlessness*.

If you’re looking for a story that proves redemption is possible, that kindness can be found in the darkest places, and that a commitment to honesty and faith can rewrite a life, stay tuned. Matt’s memoir is available on Amazon, and you can connect with him at **BullyBehindBars.com**, or on Instagram, Facebook, and X under the handle **BullyBehindBars**.

Grab your headphones, take a deep breath, and get ready for a conversation that will challenge, inspire, and remind us all that we are never truly confined—unless we let our past define us. Let’s dive in..

**Episode Intro: “Re‑Engineering the Mind – From Burnout to Breakthrough”**

Welcome to a brand‑new episode of *Transforming Lives*, where we dive deep into the science and soul of true personal metamorphosis. Your hosts, Sharmin Prince and Mitzy Dadoun, guide us through a powerful breathing exercise before unveiling today’s extraordinary guest: **Chris Paprotny**—self‑dubbed “Mind Architect” and “Forensic Mind Reconstructor.” Chris isn’t just a coach; he’s a pioneer who fuses neuroscience, somatic practice, and ancient wisdom to decode the subconscious patterns that keep high achievers stuck in endless loops.

In this conversation, Chris shares the vivid story of his own turning point—a literal spinal collapse that sparked a cascade of emotional, mental, and spiritual awakenings. He explains his signature *Physical Finesse* framework (the eight‑pillar acronym: Physical, Financial, Intellectual, Nutritional, Emotional, Spiritual, Social, Environmental) and the **Disjointed Learning Theory** that stitches seemingly unrelated insights into a cohesive, transformative whole. Listeners will hear how he distinguishes “fixing” a problem from making it **irrelevant**, the role of the 5% conscious mind teaching the 95% subconscious, and the concepts of karmic ties, divine time, and Vañchā that underlie his work.

Whether you’re wrestling with imposter syndrome, feeling stuck in a repetitive cycle, or simply curious about how to rebuild your internal architecture, this episode offers concrete tools—like the first belief‑shaping exercise for clients—and a fresh perspective on what true transformation looks like. Get ready to breathe, reset, and embark on a journey where limitations become obsolete and every listener walks away with a clearer roadmap to their own evolution. 🎧✨

In this power‑packed episode, hosts Sharmin Prince and Mitzy Dadoun sit down with Jennifer Jensen, leadership advisor, author of Developing Authentic Leaders, and certified Lumina Spark practitioner. Jennifer walks us through her “uncommon‑common‑sense” framework, shares real‑world tactics for de‑escalating conflict, and explains how vulnerability, empathy, and self‑awareness can transform teams—without burning out, inflating ego, or getting tangled in office politics.

**Episode Intro: Transforming Lives – Breathwork, Mindset Mastery & Real‑World Change**

Welcome back to *Transforming Lives*, the podcast where we dive deep into the tools and mindsets that help ambitious souls step into their most confident, magnetic selves. I’m Sharmin Prince, your host, and alongside me is my co‑host Mitzy Dadoun.

In today’s episode we sit down with **Britnni Cosgrove**, a certified mastery coach, breathwork facilitator, and transformational life‑and‑business strategist. Britnni guides clients through mindset mastery, overcoming self‑sabotage and breaking through limiting beliefs—using breathwork as a powerful, customizable catalyst.

We’ll explore:

* **What breathwork really is** – from soothing box breaths to high‑intensity, multi‑part cycles, and how the pace aligns with your intention.
* **Practical applications** – whether you have five minutes or a full hour, how breathwork can spark inspiration, calm the nervous system, and release stuck energy during major life or career transitions.
* **Real‑life success stories** – the tale of a former asthmatic client who moved from skepticism to daily empowerment, turning a simple 10‑minute practice into a habit that fuels her entire day.
* **Actionable advice** – Brittany’s step‑by‑step guide to getting crystal clear on what you want, rating your life’s areas, and taking tiny, value‑aligned actions that create momentum.
* **Rapid‑fire insights** – her biggest pet‑peeve about self‑sabotage, the book that shifted her perspective, why she picks breathwork over meditation, and the one word she wants every listener to leave with: **Empowered**.

Stick around for Brittany’s *Transformation Table* offer—a free, daily laser coaching call where you can experience her high‑touch guidance first‑hand. Whether you’re ready to launch a new business, navigate a sudden life shift, or simply feel “stuck,” this episode equips you with breathing techniques, mindset frameworks, and practical steps to ignite the transformation you’ve been craving.

Let’s get centered, breathe together, and unlock the next level of your life. 🎙️✨