Unpause Your Life Podcast
Featured Episodes
72: Peter Shankman – Author, Entrepreneur, Founder of HARO
“You have to learn how to drive your brain,” says Peter Shankman. He and I go deep into what it’s like have a faster than normal brain. The benefits, and the challenges. Join me for a fascinating discussion with Peter, whom the New York Times has called “a rockstar who knows everything about social media and then some.”
71: Erin Wathen – Why Can’t I Stick to My Diet?!
Erin Wathen is a holistic health coach, food abuse counselor, and the inspiring author of Why Can’t I Stick to My Diet?: How To End The Food Drama. Her philosophy, simply put: Health isn’t a number on the scale or how often we exercise, but our lives as a whole.
70: Dani La Barrie – Stories of an Ex-Party Girl
Dani La Barrie is a Licensed Psychotherapist and Happiness Transformation Coach who specializes in helping ambitious women break through unwanted habits.
69: Alex Sparrow – X Factor & Dancing with the Stars
Alex Sparrow is an actor, singer and musician, best known for his role as Alexi Petrov on Lifetime’s UNREAL.
68: Darren Littlejohn – Compassionate Recovery
Compassionate Recovery: a universal, secular program to heal the Spectrum of Addictions. Darren Littlejohn is a best selling author, retreat leader, Certified Yoga Teacher and Reiki healing practitioner. A recovering addict and a practitioner of Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, as well as a former mental health specialist, he earned a BA in Psych in 1991 and worked in chemical dependency and acute psychiatric care facilities during college. Darren took 2 years of graduate school in Research Methods for Psychology.
67: Tom Shanahan – Spiritual Adrenaline
In his twenties and early thirties, Tom had developed a lifestyle that centered on alcohol and cocaine. Although he had stopped excessive drinking and drug use, a number of things happened in a short period of time which led him back to that lifestyle…
66: Mark Willingham – Agent: Where Companies Book Models
AGENT is the fastest growing modeling platform where models take control of their careers and clients have direct access to the best, most diverse talent instantly. AGENT is committed to a safer, more transparent work environment.
65: Marty Norman – Motivation in Recovery
“Sobriety is exactly what you want it to be, as long as you are willing to put in the work.” This is a very powerful episode with someone who has followed an amazing path. Inspirational to the core, this highlights the incredible story of this generous man.
64: Dr. Valerie Mason-John – Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery
Today’s episode is a powerhouse of recovery stories from myself and my guest, and loads of recovery wisdom too. Don’t miss this one!
Dr. Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John M.A (hon.doc) is the award-winning author of 8 books, including Eight Step Recovery, Using The Buddha’s teachings to overcome Addiction, and there are 8 step recovery meetings in several continents.
63: Dr. Lori Shemek – The Inflammation Terminator
Lori Shemek, Ph.D. is a leading fat cell researcher, health expert, weight loss expert, keynote speaker and recognized authority on inflammation and its role in weight loss, preventing disease and optimizing health. Dr. Shemek is the bestselling author of ‘How To Fight FATflammation!’ (HarperCollins) and the bestselling author of “Fire-Up Your Fat Burn!’
62: Darren Prince – Aiming High
Listen to "62: Darren Prince – Aiming High Host - Dr. Cali Estes Share" on Spreaker.Darren Michael Prince (born February 6, 1970) is a sports and celebrity agent who grew up in Livingston, New Jersey. Prince started a mail order company selling baseball cards at the...
61: Chief Tom Synan – Hamilton County Heroin Coalition
Chief Synan’s wide experience has allowed him to have a unique look into the heroin crisis. Mr. Synan has been able to see all the ways that heroin touches lives and all the efforts it takes to help individuals, families struggling with addiction and the impact on communities; he and has an in-depth understanding of the complexity of this issue.
60: Julie Marie Palumbo – Best Whole Self
After 10 years in the Financial Industry and suffering from a chronic illness, Julie decided to pursue a new career–creating a healthier, and happier life. On the show today, we talk about why she switched careers and the surprising similarities. We also discuss some fantastic programs and tips Julie has, including how to stay gluten-free while traveling, something with which I personally struggle.
59: James Sweasy – Author, Influencer, Addiction Specialist
James is so much more than just a person in long term recovery from addiction. James is a voice. A voice for the addict that is not strong enough to speak for themselves yet.
58: The Our Shawn McBride – Attorney, Author, and Show Host: “The Future Done Right”
The Our Shawn McBride is a leading authority in business planning and execution. An attorney licensed in 12 states and DC and a CPA licensed in 3 states he brings the message of Do Business Differently(TM) to his audiences and clients teaching them that they can each find their own unique competitive advantages in business.
57: Phil Chalmers – True Crime Writer & Police Trainer, “Why Teens Kill”
57: Phil Chalmers is an American True Crime Writer, Homicide Trainer, and Television Personality. He has appeared on the shows Killer Kids on A&E, and Crime Watch Daily on Fox. He is the author of several books including the landmark book on teen violence, Inside the Mind of a Teen Killer. He has interviewed over 200 teen killers, school shooters, mass murderers, and serial killers.
56: Damona Hoffman – Host of Dates & Mates: “Love As You Are!”
Damona shares insights as a dating coach of 13 years (certified in 2013) on how to date more efficiently and effectively in today’s world. The tagline of her podcast is “Modern Love, Made Simple” and that is her mission along with showing people how to love as they are without feeling they have to transform into a different person to be loveable.
55: Kati Morton – LMFT, Mental Health YouTuber & Author of “Are u ok?”
Kati Morton joins me today for a little “Mental Health 101.” Kati’s specialties include working with individuals experiencing eating disorders and self-harming behaviors, although she addresses all things related to mental health. We chat quite a bit about toxic relationships and how to deal with them when they show up. Join us for this fascinating conversation!
54: Brian Drolet, Jordan Eubanks, and Christopher Livingston – Be Like Trees
Inspired by his love of nature and the spirit by which his late mother lived, a former MTV star and struggling artist, who now can’t even pay rent, finds courage to try something new, stand-up comedy.
53: Annie Grace – This Naked Mind
For this episode, I was able to talk with Annie Grace, author of the book This Naked Mind. Our fascinating and enlightening conversation reveals that Annie’s book primarily addresses the subconscious beliefs most of us have around alcohol. After understanding and tackling these beliefs, you can make a more mindful choice and rely on less willpower when trying to control your drinking.
52: Michael Venn – The Heroin Effect
“I am not an addict. I am not in recovery. I don’t have a personal connection to the opioid crisis, or at least that’s what I thought before the production of The Heroin Effect.”
51: Jam Alker – Junkyard
My guest is the celebrated musician, Jam Alker. After touring and playing in a successful rock band, the rockstar lifestyle eventually caught up to him. Once he found heroin, Jam put his guitar down for over a decade. Eventually, after he concluded that drugs weren’t his problem, but only covering the real problem that was lying dormant, he started to make positive strides in the right direction. And his desire to play music came back.
50: Chellie Campbell – Financial Stress Reduction®
Chellie focuses on working with clients to provide a balance between taking a risk and being financially responsible; she promotes financial literacy for everyone. This is just the tip of the iceberg though; listen along and soak up everything she has to say. Her advice is invaluable.
49: Stephen Swisher and Joe Turner – Recovery Coffee
Guests Joe Turner and Stephen Swisher share their strategic approach to addiction treatment and recovery–one cup of coffee at a time.
48: James Matthews – Sober Savage/Ride for Recovery
James Matthews is an incredible guy, he has been cycling around the United States in an effort to bring awareness to the opioid epidemic and also, to let people know the recovery success is possible.
47: Vanessa Hernandez – Miami Luxury Broker says, “Do you first! And live your dreams!”
Vanessa joins the show to tell us about her shift from psychology to real estate and how along the way she has always felt that it’s important to continue living your life and living your dreams.
46: Dr. Ivan Rusilko – The Rock n’ Roll Sex Doctor
Dr. Rusilko specializes in creating healthy lifestyles that support longevity and improved overall quality of life through medically supervised and customized diagnostic and treatment programs, with an emphasis placed on personal patient attention and follow-up.
45: Dr. Scott Sigman – Stay Opioid Naive
“Never take an opioid so you won’t find out if you’re one of the 20% who will likely become addicted.”
44: Shane Ramer – That Sober Guy
In 2014 Shane created ThatSoberGuy.com and Sober Guy Radio, which focuses on sharing personal experience and offers resources to help those struggling and recovering from alcoholism and addiction.
43: Amanda Meredith – The Addict Chick
Sex, Drugs & Rock ‘N’ Roll: At 34, Amanda Meredith had it all – A successful career, a home, a child, and everything that should have made her happy…
42: Pete Mills – The Sweet Kill
The Sweet Kill embraces the internal conflict between the light and dark.
41: Maria Salvatore – Recovery Yoga and Kula for Karma
Maria Salvatore sees yoga as an earnest companion for growth that is both physical and mental, an invitation to openness, compassion, and mindfulness.
40: Nurse Susan – Live Healthy and Pain-Free with Medical Cannabis
Susan Marks, aka Nurse Susan, is passionate about the therapeutic benefits of cannabis.
39: Dr. Pari Ghodsi – Women’s Health & Sexual Health Issues
Listen to "39: Dr. Pari Ghodsi - Women's Health & Sexual Health Issues" on Spreaker.Tune in to meet Dr. Pari Ghodsi, as we begin by hearing her explain why she was drawn to this specialty and how she ended up becoming an OB/GYN. Tips for success at a young age...
38: Erik Coleman – Former NFL Player and Safety for the NY Jets
With his unique insight, Erik explains why addiction can become a problem for many pro-athletes.
37: Kathy Fettke – Real Wealth Network Co-Founder
Anything is possible… hear how Kathy went from a life as a happy stay-at-home mom with very little business experience to a highly successful author and businesswoman.
36: Dr. Sanda Moldovan – Heal Up! Seven Ways to Faster Healing and Optimum Health
Dr. Sanda Moldovan provides us with tips to help you heal better and tells us why “the mouth is the gateway to a person’s health and well-being.” Learn why certain foods are best and find out Dr. Sanda’s thoughts about how healing can be helped by water, light and energy, oxygen, plants and more!”
35: Sophie Uliano – Become Gorgeous for Good
Sophie tells us a bit about the secret behind her boundless morning energy. Listen in to hear about her belief in self-care as a key to a healthy life and her best tips too!
34: Ivan Hunt – Male Role Expectations and How to Achieve Success
Empowering men and being a role model: Ivan works to help men identify any expectations or programming that has impacted their lives in negative ways. Then he helps them move past these hurdles to find a more fulfilling life experience.
33: Dr. Adi Jaffe – IGNTD and The Abstinence Myth
Dr. Jaffe is considered to have a controversial outlook on addiction, with many people attacking him over his progressive viewpoints. Listen in as he explains why he’s okay with people calling him names, what motivates him to keep going and how the traditional treatment model is changing.
32: Dr. Teralyn Sell – Natural Solutions (That Work!) to Mental Health & Addiction Challenges
Stop holding back on your life and start moving forward, naturally!
31: Paul Gilmartin – The Mental Illness Happy Hour
In 1995 Paul began presenting the cooking and entertainment show on TBS’ “Dinner and a Movie”. DAAM stopped airing in 2011 and after suffering from severe depression Paul decided to air a podcast on that very subject, “The Mental Illness Happy Hour.”
Ep030: Gary Kimble – Acts of Service
Gary Kimble is an amazingly busy guy who moved to South Florida after over 35 years of living in New York City to teach the “original gangster method” of the 12-step recovery program used by Dr. Bob and Bill W.
Ep029: Dr. Michael Fenster – Board-certified Interventional Cardiologist & Professional Chef
During this fascinating conversation, Dr. Fenster talks deeply about how to understand the food experience, and how our relationship with food has created Diseases of Civilization. “All disease starts in the gut, Hippocrates figured this out 2,500 years ago, we’re just catching up.”
Ep028: Dr. Matthew Budoff – Professor of Medicine & Top UCLA Cardiologist Talks Heart Health for American Heart Month
Dr. Budoff and Dr. Estes discuss what causes heart disease and how it can be affected by diet, health, drug use, and more. They also go deep into what you can do to decrease your chances of heart-related illness, including easy solutions available to us all.
Ep027: Dr. Venus Nicolino aka “Dr. V” – Relationship Expert & Host of WeTV’s Marriage Boot Camp
“Relationships that work are between couples who are able to swim the depth of their emotional ocean together,” says Dr. V. “And Valentine’s Day is bullsh*t.”
Ep026: Billie Lee – Bravo TV Vanderpump Rules & Transgender Activist
Billie Lee shares the story of her own transition and her passion for helping others who are on a similar path.
Ep025: Dr. Vera Tarman – Food Junkies: The Truth About Food Addiction
Sugar and carbohydrate addiction is NOT a myth.
Ep024: Chanda Lynn – Poet and Activist with a Powerful Message of Recovery
An artist who understands the pain and struggle, striving to help with a message of hope.
Ep023: Dr. David Henderson – Teens and Social Media Addiction | My Teenage Zombie
Our teens and many adults are becoming increasingly unable to communicate effectively. How does technology play a role in this and how do you “Resurrect the Undead Adolescent in Your Home?”
Ep022: Josh Perry – Pro BMX Athlete & 4x Brain Tumor Survivor
BMX saved his life.
Ep021: Justin McMillen Founder & CEO of Tree House Recovery
Building sustainable, healthy lives.
Ep020: Matt Bradley of The Deadliest Catch
Matt Bradley’s true passion is to help the still suffering addict find their way to a different way of life!
Ep019: Boris Schaak – Sober Fitness and Nutrition, Key to Successful Addiction Recovery
This is TOTAL integration of the elements of physical fitness and nutrition within the scope of recovery and sobriety – the convergence of mental, spiritual and physical fitness!
Ep018: Christopher Poulos – White House Office of National Drug Control Policy
And also The Sentencing Project… From prison to the White House, anything’s possible.
Ep017: Brandon Novak – JACKASS Show | Pro Skateboarder | Best Selling Author
Brandon had it all. Then he got hooked on heroin.
Ep016: Jean Krisle of 10,000 Beds – Our Mission is Recovery
Awarding 10,000 scholarships for addiction treatment by 2025.
Ep015: Wesley Geer of Hed P.E. & Korn – Rock to Recovery
It became my dream to create a music program that could help all those in need.
Ep014: Koorosh Rassekh – Addiction Treatment, Evolved
Evo Health & Wellness employs an integrated, no judgment approach that believes you don’t have to stop to start.
Ep013: Jeffrey Lynne – Patient Brokering & Your Rights in Recovery
Are patients just commodities?
Ep012: Ava Diamond and Kavvy Sonhos – The Revolution of Healing
Let’s just deal with the real thing.
Ep011: Todd “Z-MAN” Zalkins of Sublime – I Was Fully Owned by This Drug…
…And I hated myself for a long time.
Ep010: How Mark Astor of Drug and Alcohol Attorneys Uses Legal Strategies to Save Lives
Utilizing legal strategies, Mark and his team save lives of those affected by drugs and alcohol.
Ep009: Tim Ryan – Recovering Heroin Addict, A&E’s “Dope Man,” and National Thought Leader on Opioid Epidemic
People don’t want to live in active addiction, they just don’t know how to put their damn hand up and ask for help.
Ep008: Katie Donovan – A Mother’s Addiction Journey
Once you take the focus off of the addict and put it onto the family, you will see true healing begin.
Ep007: Mara Shapshay – Award-winning Writer, Mental Health Awareness Activist, Baker and Comedian
“If my life wasn’t funny, it would just be true, and that is unacceptable.” Carrie Fisher
Ep006: Vance Johnson, former Denver Bronco – Hope Driven Change
Show up, suit up, and do the work after taking the first step.
Ep005: Katrina King of Recovered Purpose and Chasing the Dragon
Her dreams were lost to addiction and the death of her daughter but, her PURPOSE was found in recovery.
Ep004: Peter DiStefano of Porno for Pyros and Matt Bradley of The Deadliest Catch
Peter and Matt have decided that their next passion in life is giving back by helping others.
Ep003: Rabbi Mark Borovitz – How to Find a Way of Living That Matches Your Soul
Recovery is about finding your essence, your true self.
Ep002: Josh Temple of House Crashers and Disaster House
Trade Life – An Apprenticeship for a Better Path
Ep001: Indian Bob of Recovery Radio Raw
The two magic ingredients to recovery success – Discomfort and the Raw Truth.
Ep000: Dr. Cali Estes – Unpause Your Life and Live Your Dreams
Welcome to the show!