Parent Footprint With Dr. Dan

Dr. Dan sits down with TEDx speaker Jinesha Jain to discuss success and what happens when our achievement outpaces our alignment. From navigating the pressures of the immigrant experience to redefining ambition through self-awareness, Jinesha shares how the single question “Are you happy?” sparked a profound shift in her life – and can do the same for us. On this episode, Dr. Dan and Jinesha unpack the hidden cost of constant productivity, the illusion of “falling behind,” and the courage it takes to pause in a world that rewards speed. They also discuss the transformative practice of intentional breathing, intentional presence, and Jinesha’s TEDx Talk “The Power of Stillness: How One Breath Can Break Burnout.”  Today’s episode is a reminder that true growth isn’t about doing more—it’s about becoming more aligned with who you are every day. For more information, visit Jinesha’s profile LinkedIn or Realtor and follow @jineshajain on Instagram. Please listen, follow, rate, and review Make It a Great One on

Dr. Dan sits down with Dr. Neha Sangwan, CEO and founder of Intuitive Intelligence, internal medicine physician, international speaker, author of Powered By Me From Burned Out to Fully Charged at Work and in Life, and corporate communication expert, to explore how burnout, stress, and disconnection are not failures, but invitations to reconnect with purpose, authenticity, and self-awareness. Burnout isn’t the end, it’s the beginning – a wake-up call. Drawing from her personal journey through burnout and decades of experience as a physician, engineer, and leadership expert, Neha shares how our bodies are constantly communicating with us and how ignoring those signals leads to deeper imbalance. This conversation offers a roadmap to shift from exhaustion to empowerment by understanding your internal data, aligning with your values, and leading from the inside out. Listeners will walk away with practical tools—including Neha’s “Awareness Prescription”—to identify the root causes of stress, build resilience, and

Dr. Dan speaks to Nancy Howard Cobb about the 25th anniversary edition of her paradigm shifting book about grief and human connection In Lieu of Flowers: A Conversation for the Living. Nancy’s book was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show and over the years has helped many people deal with mourning, grief, death and dying – from hospices, medical schools, bookstores, and conferences to families dealing with grief privately at home. As part of Make It a Great One’s two episode grief series, Dr. Dan and Nancy explore grief not as an ending, but as a doorway to connection, authenticity, and growth. They demonstrate that grief is not something to fix but instead it is something to feel, understand, and ultimately integrate into a meaningful life. Nancy brings decades of experience speaking about death, loss, and the human condition—and shares how telling the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, can be one of the most liberating and healing acts we can take. This episode challenges the way we think about grief,

Today’s episode is part one of a special two-episode series on grief on Make It a Great One with Dr. Dan. Dr. Dan interviews Dr. Korie Leigh, author, speaker, and thanatologist (a specialist who studies death, dying, and bereavement) to discuss her book  When Everything Changes: Parenting Through Loss and Grief and to unpack myths about grief. Dr. Korie shares her compassionate and realistic framework that grief is a full-body, lifelong experience that integrates into who we are –it touches our emotions, our identity, our relationships, our work, and our leadership. She introduces the concept of grief-informed leadership and explores how to lead through challenging times with compassion and insight. Dr. Dan and Dr. Leigh also discuss how children process loss and how families can navigate loss. Today’s episode reminds us that grief is a universal human experience to honor, integrate, explore, and grow around -- regardless of age.  For more information, visit www.korieleighphd.com and follow @drkorieleigh

Dr. Dan sits down with ophthalmic surgeon and internationally bestselling author Dr. Durga Larkin to explore a powerful topic that affects us all: aging. In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Durga reframes aging not as a period of decline, but as a time of expansion. Together, Dr. Dan and Dr. Durga examine why some of our most meaningful and fulfilling years may still lie ahead. Drawing from her book Timeless Vision: Empowered Aging Redefined, Dr. Durga shares insights that invite us to reconsider what it truly means to grow older—with purpose, courage, and greater self-awareness. Dr. Durga shares how a life-altering injury forced her to confront her own identity and resilience. When she fractured her dominant surgical arm, she was faced with a profound question: Who am I if I can’t do the thing that has defined me for decades? This experience transformed Dr. Durga, and she emerged with clarity, empowerment, and an expanded vision for her next chapter.  Today’s episode explores the scarcity vs. abundance m

Dr. Dan reconnects with his very first podcast guest(!) veteran educator and special education advocate Larry Davis to explore what it truly means to teach—and lead—in today’s world. Drawing from more than four decades in education across 11 school districts, Larry shares insights from his new book, The Happy Camper Classroom, and reframes teaching as one of the most demanding leadership roles in our society. Today’s educators are not simply delivering curriculum—they are first responders, social workers, emotional anchors, and architects of belonging. At the heart of this episode is a powerful truth: learning cannot happen without safety, connection, and regulation. Larry explains why compliance is no longer the glue that holds classrooms together—and what must replace it. Through resilience, self-awareness, compassion, and authentic connection, teachers can create environments where students feel safe, valued, and empowered. This conversation extends beyond education and is for every age and every stage

Dr. Dan sits down with Cody Cook-Parrott, author of The Practice of Attention: Cultivating Presence in a Distracted World, to explore what happens when we reclaim our focus from technology, perfectionism, and fear. Drawing from nearly 15 years of sobriety, lived experience with ADHD, creative practice, and stepping away from social media, Cody shares how attention is not just about productivity — it’s about presence, integrity, and self-trust.  An artist, writer, teacher, and dancer, Cody teaches us attention is the currency of our lives  – and that most of us are spending it without realizing it. Dr. Dan and Cody urge listeners to remember that attention shapes not just what we see but who we become. They challenge us to reclaim our time and focus so life feels like it belongs to us again. Cody Cook-Parrott is the author of six books, including the new The Practice of Attention. For more information visit www.codycookparrott.com. Please listen, follow, rate, and review Make It a Great One on Apple Podcas

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Dan sits down with leadership strategist, researcher, and executive coach and author Dr. Debra Clary to explore why curiosity may be the most overlooked—and most essential—leadership skill of our time. Deb shares her remarkable journey from driving a Frito-Lay delivery truck after earning her MBA to advising Fortune 500 executives and the publication of her book The Curiosity Curve: A Leader’s Guide to Growth and Transformation Through Bold Question. Along the way, she reveals how resilience, humility, and bold questions shaped her leadership philosophy and helped spark transformational change inside some of the world’s most iconic organizations. Together, Dr. Dan and Debra explore why certainty can hinder growth, how curiosity fuels engagement and performance, and why fear and curiosity cannot coexist in the brain. They explore the role curiosity plays not just in leadership and business, but in parenting, relationships, creativity, and human connection. This episode is

Dr. Dan is in the virtual studio today with award-winning music educator and entrepreneur Kenneth Thompson to explore what it truly means to grow into your purpose—especially when the path is anything but linear. Ken, the founder and CEO of the Musical Arts Center of San Antonio, Inc. (MACSA), holds a Bachelor of Music/Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music (where he studied with Nelita True and Anton Nel). Ken shares his journey from early struggles with learning differences, bullying, and feeling unseen, to discovering connection, creativity, and self-awareness through music. What begins as a story about piano and performance becomes a profound exploration of resilience, mindset, neurodiversity, and leadership. Together, Dr. Dan and Ken unpack the hidden costs of chasing validation, the pressure of elite performance environments, and the courage it takes to redefine success. They explore why growth requires both safety and intensity, how authentic connection unlocks human potential, and why te

In this eye-opening interview, Dr. Dan Peters talks with internationally renowned psychologist Guy Winch to explore how emotional health, rumination, and chronic stress quietly hijack our lives highlighting that burnout doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t stay at work when the workday ends. Dr. Dan and Guy also discuss his new book Mind Over Grind: How To Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life. Guy shares why burnout clouds our judgment, why rumination is one of the most damaging (and overlooked) habits in modern work culture, and how emotional health skills can prevent anxiety and depression before they become clinical. Dr. Dan and Guy unpack the science behind mental detachment, responsibility-taking, and why recovery not productivity must come first. On this episode listeners will learn practical, science-backed strategies to break the cycle of rumination and mental replay, recover from burnout, create psychological boundaries when working from home and reclaim evenings/relationships/personal identi

Dr. Dan interviews wellness leader and founder of DoYogaWithMe, David Procyshyn about anxiety, presence, living well and his personal story. As a leading voice in the world of wellness –David is yoga and meditation teacher, speaker, and founder – David helps people heal from chronic anxiety and live a calmer, more resilient life. During this conversation with Dr. Dan, David shares his own personal journey from chronic pain, high-performance anxiety, and burnout to discovering a grounded, compassionate relationship with his nervous system. Together, Dan and David explore how anxiety is not a personal failure, but a physiological pattern that can be understood, worked with, and softened over time. Finally, Dan explores David’s Freedom From Anxiety approach which blends neuroscience, breathwork, meditation, and lived experience into practical tools that foster resilience, empowerment, and connection. This powerful episode encourages listeners to slow down, reflect, and remember that we can learn and grow from

Today on Make It A Great One, Dr. Dan interviews Raj Sisodia, global thought leader, bestselling author, and co-founder of Conscious Capitalism, to explore the inner work required to live and lead with purpose, integrity, and humanity. Raj also introduces the seven steps outlined in his newest book Healing Leaders which teaches us that leadership begins with knowing, loving, and healing oneself.  Raj shares the pivotal moments that reshaped his life and leadership—from questioning profit-only business models to confronting unhealed personal trauma that lingered beneath decades of professional success. He opens up about his own healing journey, the influence of his parents, and the realization that leadership without self-awareness inevitably causes harm. Together, Dr. Dan and Raj unpack what it truly means to be a conscious leader—someone willing to integrate head, heart, and soul; masculine and feminine energy; wisdom and playfulness because conscious leaders create ripple effects that impact families, com

In this provocative and reflective episode, Dr. Dan interviews transformational coach Thomas Blottenberger about purpose, self-awareness, and what it means to grow from the inside out. Together, they explore how culturally inherited narratives, survival-based programming, emotional numbness, and the performance trap silently shape our lives — and how to break free. Thomas shares the story of his own awakening, describing the internal disintegration that precedes meaningful change. He discusses the courage required to face long-standing patterns and the liberation that comes from choosing curiosity over shame. Through exploring themes of authenticity, leadership, emotional mastery, presence, and empowerment, this episode challenges listeners to rethink the stories they tell themselves and reconnect with who they really are. In addition, Dr. Dan and Thomas dive into the myths of work-life balance, the power of presence, why optimizing the external never creates lasting fulfillment, and how the process of beco

Dr. Dan continues his Make It a Great One in 2026 kick-off by interviewing author and advocate Mita Mallick to explore the real impact that leadership has on mental health, identity, and workplace well-being. Drawing from her bestselling books Reimagine Inclusion and The Devil Emails at Midnight, Mita shares personal stories of toxic leadership, bullying, grief, and growth, while challenging leaders to confront their own behaviors with honesty and compassion. Together, Dr. Dan and Mita unpack why bad bosses aren’t born but made—and how self-awareness, empathy, and accountability can transform workplaces into environments where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to do their best work.  This episode invites listeners to reflect on the profound effect leaders have on mental health and well-being – and the importance of self-care, reflection, and emotional intelligence in all aspects of our lives. For more information visit www.mitamallick.com and follow @mita_mallick13 on Instagram. Please listen, follo

Welcome to 2026 and all new episodes of Make It a Great One!  Today, Dr. Dan sits down with Larry Rosen, creator of The Enemies Project, to explore why conflict has become so entrenched in our culture—and how genuine listening can begin to heal it. During his conversation with Dr. Dan, Larry shares his personal journey from law to mediation to ultimately creating a global project that brings people labeled as “enemies” into the same room for honest, day-long conversations. Drawing from psychology, neuroscience, and decades of experience working with people in deep conflict, Larry Rosen explains why arguments fail, empathy shuts down under threat, and how understanding—not persuasion—is the fastest path to transformation. Together, Dr. Dan and Larry unpack the mechanisms behind polarization, the role of fear and perceived threat, and how “enemy-making” erodes our ability to cooperate as families, communities, and societies. Through stories from The Enemies Project, they reveal how people with radically oppos

In this inspiring and illuminating conversation, Dr. Dan sits down with Inna Segal, bestselling author of The Secret Language of Your Body, to explore how pain, trauma, and emotional overwhelm can become powerful gateways to healing, self-awareness, and inner freedom. Inna shares her extraordinary personal journey from debilitating chronic illness and profound grief to discovering her intuitive healing abilities — and dedicating her life to helping others reconnect with the wisdom of their bodies. Dr. Dan and Inna break down why the body is never the enemy, how slowing down is the first essential step toward wellness, and why meaningful healing requires curiosity, courage, compassion, and patience. Inna explains how unresolved childhood wounds, ancestral trauma, and unprocessed emotions can shape our physical and emotional experiences — and how simple daily practices can begin to restore balance, empowerment, and alignment. Listeners will learn how to tune into the body’s signals, use breath and attention t

Dr. Dan sits down with leadership researcher, author, and mindset expert Dr. Ryan Gottfredson to explore what it truly means to become better—better leaders, parents, partners, and human beings. Drawing from his groundbreaking work on vertical development, Ryan reveals why most of us are overdeveloped in “doing” and underdeveloped in “being,” and how this imbalance limits our growth, purpose, and connection in every part of life.  During this powerful and deeply human conversation with Dr. Dan, Ryan shares personal stories of emotional neglect, independence, healing, and the courageous work of rewriting one’s internal operating system. Dr. Ryan and Dr. Dan dive into the profound relationship between self-awareness, compassion, resilience, and authentic leadership and why healing isn’t a soft concept, but a neurological upgrade that changes how we respond to stress, relationships, and opportunity. Listeners will learn the difference between horizontal development (knowledge, skills, and doing) and vertical d

Dr. Dan welcomes Dr. Lauren Speeth—award-winning author, educator, storyteller, and global changemaker—for a powerful conversation about purpose, resilience, and the courage to live an authentic, hope-filled life. Drawing from her new book Taking the Stairs and Liking It, Lauren shares the seven transformative principles that shaped her remarkable journey, including wisdom passed on directly from President Jimmy Carter. In this inspiring and deeply human episode, Lauren opens up about shaping her identity beyond titles, navigating loss and reinvention, and discovering her unique path to service and leadership. Dr. Speeth and Dr. Dan explore what it means to show up with compassion, to cultivate self-awareness, and to take purposeful steps toward the person you want to become—especially when life feels overwhelming. Listeners will hear stories about music, creativity, Lauren’s formative childhood experiences, the profound power of small acts of kindness, and how each of us has the ability to uplift others th

Dr. Dan interviews coach, Enneagram teacher, and author Courtney Smith to explore how we grow, evolve, and reclaim our most authentic selves. Courtney shares the transformational journey that took her from a high-achieving, analytical career to helping leaders and individuals uncover the stories, fears, and inner patterns that shape their lives. Together, they dive into themes of self-awareness, purpose, empowerment, courage, compassion, and authentic leadership, revealing how we can all step out of our “zone of greatness” and into our true zone of genius. Drawing from Courtney’s work with the Enneagram, Conscious Leadership tools, and her new workbook Choosing Wholeness Over Goodness: A Process for Reclaiming Your Full Self By Elise Loehnen and Courtney Smith, this episode breaks down how old stories and inherited beliefs keep us stuck — and how understanding fear, rewriting narratives, and naming our “parts” can create profound personal growth. This episode is an invitation to slow down, tune inward, and

Artist and writer John Guillemette joins Dr. Dan for a moving conversation about paradox, purpose, and the transformative power of creativity. From being misdiagnosed and over-medicated to rediscovering balance and meaning as a hospital janitor during the pandemic, John’s story reveals how struggle can become the source of wisdom. Together, John and Dr. Dan explore the courage it takes to live authentically, the importance of self-discovery through art, and the beauty of collaboration that honors our shared humanity. They discuss John’s acclaimed illustration work with repeat MIAGO guest Dr. Gina Barreca on Gina School: It’s Not What They Teach You, It’s What They Learn, and his upcoming illustrated memoir Relapse of a Recovering Ego Addict. This episode is a meditation on growth, resilience, and what it means to “make it a great one” — even when life feels messy, strange, or contradictory. For more information, visit musingjohn.com and follow @musing_john on Instagram. Please listen, follow, rate, and re