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Unstoppable Mindset

Unstoppable Mindset

Written by: Michael Hingson
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Inclusion, Diversity and encountering something different and unexpected. We all have reacted to different kinds of people and unexpected situations often with fear and unacceptance. Join blind World Trade Center survivor, No. 1 NY Times Bestseller and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe, Michael Hingson as he talks with thought leaders and others about our often blinding fear of inclusion and our resistance to change. Mike will explore the idea that no matter the situation or different kinds of people we encounter our own fears and prejudices often are the strongest barriers to moving forward.@2021 Michael Hingson Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Self-Help Social Sciences Success
Episodes
  • Episode 485 – Reconnecting Kids with Nature Through Unstoppable Storytelling with Vardhini Amin

    Episode 485 – Reconnecting Kids with Nature Through Unstoppable Storytelling with Vardhini Amin
    Oct 20 2026
    What happens when children lose their connection with nature, and how can storytelling help bring it back? Vardhini Amin, a children's book author and professional photographer from India, joins me to explore the power of imagination, creativity, and reconnecting with the natural world. Drawing from her childhood, her love of gardening, and her experiences as a mother, Vardhini shares the inspiration behind her fantasy book Forest Borns, where trees have souls and nature comes alive. We discuss how screen time, structured schedules, and changing family habits affect children's creativity and their connection with the outdoors. Vardhini also explains why storytelling can teach empathy and environmental awareness more effectively than lectures. Our conversation reminds us that nature is not separate from us, that children need the freedom to explore, and that even one person can make a meaningful difference. I believe you'll enjoy Vardhini's perspective on helping children and adults rediscover the wonder of the world around them. Highlights: 01:30 - How Vardhini's childhood inspired her creative career. 20:32 - Why children are losing their connection with nature. 29:00 - How storytelling helps children develop empathy for nature. 35:53 - Why unstructured play builds creativity and imagination. 40:33 - How gardening inspired her children's book Forest Borns. 44:58 - How one person can make a difference in protecting nature. About the Guest: Vardhini Amin is the award-winning author of The Forestborns, a fantasy novel for children published by Hachette India in 2024. The Forestborns tells a story of courage, healing, and the invisible ties that bind all living things. Set in a hidden realm where the souls of trees and plants slip from their rooted bodies after sunset, it follows Siah, a young sandalwood tree soul forced onto a dangerous quest to protect her kind. Nearby, a girl named Avni, who finds comfort in the forest while grappling with her own grief, begins to sense a growing threat to the woods she loves. As their journeys quietly converge, ancient magic stirs and a fragile bridge forms between two worlds, leading to a miracle the forest will never forget. A portrait photographer with over a decade of experience, storytelling has always been Vardhini’s true calling. She grew up on a steady diet of fables and fantasy, and that early love for imaginative worlds continues to shape her writing today. Her stories often explore the quiet magic hidden in everyday life- trees that speak, forests that remember, and unexpected friendships that change the way characters see the world. As a writer, she is drawn to the emotional worlds of children and young readers. Her work blends imagination with emotional realism, exploring themes of fear, belonging, resilience, and hope. Through her stories, she hopes to create spaces where young readers feel seen and inspired to look at the world around them with curiosity and empathy. Through The Forestborns, she hopes to rekindle a sense of wonder about nature and encourage young readers to see forests, plants, and wildlife as living companions in the shared story of our planet. When she isn’t writing or behind the camera, she finds calm among her indoor plants—a peaceful counterpoint to the joyful chaos of life with her two sons and their two adopted cats. Ways to connect with Vardhini**:** Website: www.vardhiniamin.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vardhiniamin About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT\&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children’s Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association’s 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar...
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    1 hr
  • Episode 484 – Breaking the Silence: One Survivor's Unstoppable Fight for Justice with Joelle Casteix

    Episode 484 – Breaking the Silence: One Survivor's Unstoppable Fight for Justice with Joelle Casteix
    Oct 16 2026
    How can we protect children from sexual abuse without raising them to live in fear? My guest, Joelle Casteix, is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse who turned her painful experience into a lifelong mission of advocacy, education, and prevention. After uncovering how her Catholic high school covered up abuse, Joelle became a leading voice for survivors, helping change laws and hold institutions accountable. Today, she works to prevent child sexual abuse in schools, churches, and communities while helping parents raise empowered children. Joelle and I discuss how predators use grooming and trust to target children, why organizations sometimes protect their reputations instead of victims, and the simple steps parents can take to teach body boundaries, recognize warning signs, and encourage open communication. We also explore survivor healing, the importance of believing those who speak out, and how better training and stronger reporting policies can help prevent future abuse. Joelle's journey reminds us that even the most painful experiences can lead to meaningful change and that protecting children begins with awareness, courage, and a willingness to listen. Highlights: 02:12 - Joelle shares her journey from childhood abuse survivor to advocate. 13:53 - Simple ways parents can teach boundaries and protect children. 23:12 - How survivor advocacy can create healing and lasting change. 30:54 - How institutions cover up abuse and predators build trust. 41:21 - Warning signs of child grooming and online exploitation. 48:42 - Why child protection policies need training and accountability. About the Guest: Joelle Casteix is an award-winning author, journalist, podcaster, and internationally recognized speaker—and one of the leading global advocates for survivors of child sexual abuse and institutional cover-up. A survivor of abuse in the Catholic Church, her own pursuit of justice catalyzed a decades-long career dedicated to protecting children, amplifying survivor voices, and holding powerful institutions accountable. A trusted media voice and go-to expert for legislators, journalists, and policymakers, Joelle’s work focuses on how institutions—including religious organizations, public schools, and other youth-serving systems—enable and conceal abuse; the essential role parents and communities play in prevention; and how survivor-centered laws, accountability, and emerging technology can disrupt cycles of harm. She has testified in support of victim-friendly legislation in numerous states and was the sole survivor selected to testify on behalf of California’s landmark AB 218, which opened a three-year civil window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Joelle is a founding board member and current Board Chair of the Zero Abuse Project, where she has helped shape national prevention and accountability strategies. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the National Center to Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct, and Exploitation (NCSESAME), supporting national efforts to prevent educator sexual misconduct and provide resources for survivors, families, and professionals. She is the host of the Crossing the Line podcast, featuring conversations with journalists, lawmakers, survivors, and experts working at the intersection of abuse prevention, accountability, and justice. Through national print, broadcast, and podcast appearances, Joelle translates complex institutional failures into clear, actionable insight for the public. A leading voice on digital accountability and ethical AI in child protection, Joelle has presented to United Nations member agencies and international audiences across Europe, including at The Hague. She is the bestselling author of The Well-Armored Child: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Child Sexual Abuse and The Power of Responsibility, based on her widely viewed TEDx talk, as well as The Compassionate Response and Scram!. She is a former adjunct faculty member at the University of California, Irvine School of Law. Ways to connect with Joelle**:** Website: Casteix.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasteix/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joellecasteix Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crossing-the-line-the-ncsesame-podcast/id1851485137 Zero Abuse Project: https://zeroabuseproject.org/ NCSESAME: NCSESAME.org About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT\&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children’s Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also...
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Episode 483 – Finding Your Voice: The Power of Unstoppable Confidence with Michelle Mekky

    Episode 483 – Finding Your Voice: The Power of Unstoppable Confidence with Michelle Mekky
    Oct 13 2026
    Sometimes the biggest setbacks in life lead us to discover what we're truly capable of achieving. My guest, Michelle Mekky, knows this firsthand. A former broadcast journalist and television producer, Michelle spent 12 years working behind the scenes at Fox before moving into public relations. Her journey took an unexpected turn when she faced ovarian cancer and later lost her job. Rather than allowing fear and self-doubt to hold her back, she started Mekky Media, which grew into a seven-figure PR agency. Michelle shares how she built her business through storytelling, hard work, trust, and a strong team culture. We also explore the importance of public speaking, media training, authentic communication, and learning to believe in yourself. Michelle's story reminds us that confidence doesn't always come naturally. Sometimes we have to face the things that scare us most to discover our own potential. I believe you'll find valuable lessons here about leadership, entrepreneurship, overcoming adversity, and finding the courage to share your story. Highlights: 01:21 – Discover how Michelle's passion for journalism shaped her career. 06:41 – Learn why believing in yourself is key to overcoming fear. 16:06 – Hear how Michelle overcame her fear of public speaking. 30:23 – Explore how cancer and job loss led Michelle toward entrepreneurship. 36:53 – Learn how trust and team culture helped build a seven-figure PR agency. 56:40 – Discover how AI and digital media are changing storytelling and communication. About the Guest: Michelle Mekky is a veteran, award-winning broadcast journalist and public relations executive, and the founder and CEO of Mekky Media Relations, Inc., a boutique PR agency with clients in Chicago and coast to coast. She began her career as an overnight newswriter for the morning shows at Fox-TV in Chicago, before eventually growing to become Senior Producer, overseeing all morning show content. After 12 years in the media, she transitioned into PR and marketing, working at top agencies prior to launching Mekky Media in 2016 after she survived ovarian cancer. The agency partners with organizations across a broad range of verticals, including nonprofits, technology, healthcare, restaurants, retail, fitness, financial services B2B and more. Michelle leads a team of experienced PR professionals who help clients tell their stories, reach new audiences and fuel growth through PR strategy, media relations, media training, social media strategy, integrated digital and PR programs and personal branding. Building on nearly a decade of growth and demand for executive coaching, Michelle also recently launched Elevated by Mekky Media, a sister company specializing in personalized media training, public speaking coaching and executive presence development for leaders and teams. Michelle and Mekky Media have been widely recognized for their success, earning multiple Gold and Silver Stevie Awards between 2018 and 2023, a PR News Top 100 Agency Elite Award, recognition as one of Expertise PR’s Best Chicago PR Firms and several Publicity Club of Chicago Gold and Silver Trumpet Awards. Michelle has also received numerous individual honors, including being named one of the 2025 100 Women to KNOW in America, PRSA Chicago’s 2023 Professional of the Year, the 2023 Daily Herald Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, a 2021 Ragan and PR Daily Communicator of the Year Award, a 2020 PR News Top Women in PR honor, a 2019 Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Entrepreneur recognition and the 2018 Bronze Stevie Award for Women in Business. Michelle is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council, Forbes Agency Council, WBENC and the International Public Relations Network, where she serves as North American regional chair and a member of the Executive Committee. A Forbes blogger and motivational speaker, she is also a cancer survivor, a spokesperson for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and serves on the board of the Business Executives Association and the Strategic Advancement Committee for Start Early. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University’s renowned Medill School of Journalism. The daughter of immigrants, she is the first-generation in her family to go to college. Michelle also is most proud of being a mother to her children Adam and Hannah, who are getting ready to launch their own careers as they finish college and graduate school. Ways to connect with Michelle**:** Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mekkymedia/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mekky-media-relations-inc./ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mekkymedia/ About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 ...
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    1 hr and 5 mins
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