A Change Mindset: Recent Episodes
Jun Love Young
Change can be uncomfortable, stressful, even downright frightening because our brains are wired to perceive change as a threat. But sometimes people push through the fear and face change head on. This podcast is about those people. Every two weeks, host Jun Love Young, CEO of ZUM Communications, introduces you to incredible change agents who’ve led extraordinary transformations in their life, their work, and the world. Their stories will inspire YOU to be the agent of change your life deserves.
A Change Mindset is brought to you by ZUM Communications. Music by Tow'rs.
Learn more at: aChangeMindset.com
Jennifer Slawson, a leader in the tech industry, reflects on a season of change that led her to reevaluate her marriage and career. She shares how her journey to become a certified coach has transformed her as a leader and as a human being.
Follow us at @achangemindset
At one point, Jason Portnoy thought he had it all – wealth, prestige, an amazing family, and an unstoppable career in middle of Silicon Valley’s first dot com boom. But beneath the surface, he knew he was living a double life, shrouded in secrets and lies. In this episode, Jason shares his journey of change from secrets to truth, from brokenness to healing, from self-betrayal to self-love. Jason shares more of his story in his recently published memoir – Silicon Valley Pornstar.
Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset.
In this special episode, Jun invites his therapist, Dr. Steven Reed, to talk about the practice of “dream tending.” As a licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Reed believes dreams and imagination can help us unleash our inner wisdom and guide our lives especially through seasons of change.
Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset.
Reverend Gail Song Bantum knows that embracing our full, authentic selves is the key to successful change. In this episode of “A Change Mindset,” she shares how she has led changes in her own career and in her church by allowing space for authenticity – resulting in mutual flourishing.
This episode features “Belly of the Deepest Love” by Tow’rs.
Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset.
Learn more about Reverend Gail Song Bantum:
- Gail’s Website: https://www.thebantumspace.com/
- Gail's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gailsongbantum
- Gail's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gailsongbantum/
- Gail's Twitter: https://twitter.com/gailsongbantum
Choosing Us Book: http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/choosing-us/408440
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either: * Follow on Apple Podcasts * Follow on Spotify
TW: Suicide, acts of violence.
Ricardo Ruiz returns from the military a deeply angry man, with no practice or encouragement in sharing his feelings. He turns to alcohol, lashing-out at those around him and ready to end his own life. Listen to Ricardo’s inspiring change story and how he finds the courage to confront his rage and give a voice to the voiceless.
This episode features poems from ‘We Had Our Reasons’, read by the author. Learn more about him and the book at www.PoetRuiz.com or his social handle @poetruiz.
Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset.
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either: * Follow on Apple Podcasts * Follow on Spotify
TW: Suicidal ideation, self-harm
Kelsie Hurula falls into a deep, all-consuming depression because of a terrible mistake that blows up her life. Alone and ashamed, she hides in her bedroom for months, convinced that she doesn’t deserve to get better. Listen to Kelsie’s inspiring change story and how she finds the path to forgiveness and self-acceptance.
This episode is dedicated to the inspiring young voices of Beloved Arise – a non-profit that celebrates and empowers LGBTQ+ youth of faith.
This episode features “Here Right Now” by Tow’rs. Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset.
Learn more about Kelsie:
Kelsie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifethroughmylens03/?hl=en
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either: * Follow on Apple Podcasts * Follow on Spotify
TW: Suicidal ideation
In this episode, inner child healing life coach, Evelyn Huynh shares how she had to heal her own generational trauma before she could help others do the same. Stuck in destructive patterns of self-sabotage, Evelyn changes her life by standing up to the bullies of past and present.
This episode features “No Place to Fall” by Tow’rs.
Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset.
Learn more about Evelyn:
- Evelyn's Website: https://www.evolvewithevelyn.com/
- Evelyn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evolvewithevelyn/
- Evelyn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolvewithevelyn/
- Evelyn's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/evelynhuynh
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either: * Follow on Apple Podcasts * Follow on Spotify
Trigger warning: This episode contains depictions of domestic violence that you may find disturbing.
A near-death experience led Becky Strauss to evaluate her marriage and how she was leading her life. In this episode of “A Change Mindset,” Becky shares how that turning point in her life helped her understand the value of self-love and the importance of prioritizing herself.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there’s help at the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Please visit thehotline.org
Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset.
Learn more about Becky:
- Becky's Website
- Becky's LinkedIn
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either: * Follow on Apple Podcasts * Follow on Spotify
In this episode, we meet politician, entrepreneur, and change-maker – Roxy Ndebumadu. After working a few years in high tech, at the age of 26, Roxy decides to make a huge career and life change by running for public office in Maryland. Roxy shares how she overcame fear and self-doubt, and how this change ultimately transformed who she is as a person and a leader.
This episode features “Belly of the Deepest Love” by Tow’rs.
Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset
Learn more about Roxy:
- Roxy’s website
- Roxy’s Twitter
- Roxy’s Facebook
- Roxy’s Instagram
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either: * Follow on Apple Podcasts * Follow on Spotify
When Gilza Fort-Martinez chose a career in therapy instead of the law, her father was outraged. In this episode of “A Change Mindset,” Gilza shares how helping her clients get a new perspective helps them manage change – an approach that also helped her father accept her career change.
This episode features “Water under the bridge” by Tow’rs.
Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset
Learn more about Gilza:
- Gilza's LinkedIn
- Gilza's Website
- Gilza's Facebook
- Gilza's Twitter
- Gilza's Instagram
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either: * Follow on Apple Podcasts * Follow on Spotify
After years of struggling with addiction, Meghan Opbroek realized she would never realize her life's dream of becoming a therapist unless she got sober. In this episode of "A Change Mindset," Meghan shares how a supportive friendship and the desire to fulfill her life's purpose helped her find recovery.
This episode features "Girl in Calico" by Tow'rs.
Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset
Learn more about Meghan:
- Meghan's LinkedIn
- Meghan's Website
- Meghan's Facebook
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either: * Follow on Apple Podcasts * Follow on Spotify
After a devastating betrayal, award-winning novelist Justina Chen endured major life changes that were thrust upon her. In this episode of “A Change Mindset,” Justina shares with us how she discovered how a mantra of being better, not bitter, could help her through hard changes.
This episode features “No Place to Fall” by Tow’rs.
Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset
Follow us on Instagram:
@achangemindset
@junloveyoung
Learn more about Justina:
- Justina’s website: http://justinachen.com/
- Justina’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorJustinaChen/
- Justina’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustinaYChen
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either: * Follow on Apple Podcasts * Follow on Spotify
Season two kicks off with host Jun Love Young and his new husband Drew sharing their own change story, which is also their love story. Four years ago, Jun and Drew had all but given up on the idea of marriage. But to their surprise, they fell in love. In this episode, recorded a few days before their wedding, Jun and Drew share how they each changed to give love a second chance and how the love they discovered led to profound changes in each of them.
This episode features “Feels Like Home” by Tow’rs.
Photo credit: Meryl Schenker
Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset
Follow us on Instagram:
@achangemindset
@junloveyoung
Episode resources: A Change Mindset on Instagram * A Change Mindset's Website * ZUM Communications on Facebook * ZUM Communications on Twitter * Send your stories and feedback on this episode to contact@zumcom.com
If you enjoyed this episode then please either: * Follow on Apple Podcasts * Follow on Spotify
In this special episode, Jun wraps up Season 1 of the podcast with a reflection on the word, metathesiophobia – fear of change. He also previews what’s next for A Change Mindset and invites our audience to follow us on Instagram (@achangemindset) until the next season begins in Summer 2022.
Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset
Follow us on Instagram:
@achangemindset
@junloveyoung
Episode resources:
- A Change Mindset on Instagram
- A Change Mindset's Website
- ZUM Communications on Facebook
- ZUM Communications on Twitter
- Send your stories and feedback on this episode to contact@zumcom.com
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
- Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
- Follow on Spotify
Rhodora Levy's dream of becoming a professional chef almost didn't see the light of day. In this episode of “A Change Mindset,” Rhodora shares how internal and external expectations of what a successful career and life should be almost inhibited her journey of change and her journey to true happiness.
Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset
This episode features “The Kitchen” by Tow’rs.
Follow us on Instagram:
@achangemindset
@junloveyoung
Learn more about Rhodora: * Rhodora’s Instagram * Rhodora’s Website
Episode resources:
- A Change Mindset on Instagram
- A Change Mindset's Website
- ZUM Communications on Facebook
- ZUM Communications on Twitter
- Send your stories and feedback on this episode to contact@zumcom.com
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
- Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
- Follow on Spotify
When Kyle Paul Miller first made the change to become a full-time musician, leading the folk-rock band Tow’rs, he defined success as the ability to pay the bills with this job. In this episode of “A Change Mindset,” Kyle shares how he came to realize that both the ability to make changes in his life and his success as an artist are rooted in self-acceptance.
Learn more about Tow’rs at www.towrsmusic.com and follow them on Instagram at @towrsmusic
Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset
This episode features the “Boots of Spanish Leather” and “Pink Confetti” by Tow’rs.
Follow us on Instagram:
@achangemindset
@junloveyoung
Learn more about Kyle and his band Tow'rs: * Tow’rs Facebook * Tow’rs Instagram * Tow’rs YouTube channel * Tow’rs Website
Episode resources:
- A Change Mindset on Instagram
- A Change Mindset's Website
- ZUM Communications on Facebook
- ZUM Communications on Twitter
- Send your stories and feedback on this episode to contact@zumcom.com
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
- Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
- Follow on Spotify
In this episode of A Change Mindset, Gavriella Schuster talks about a moment early in her career when she pursued a bold, unexpected move – one that ultimately fueled her incredible success at work and in life. Gavriella’s transformation journey highlights the importance of persistence, priorities, and clear boundaries. This episode features the song, “Tightrope Walker” by Towr’s.
Learn more about Gavriella at GavriellaSchuster.com and follow her on Twitter at @gavriels1
Follow us on Instagram at @achangemindset
Featuring “Tightrope Walker” by Tow’rs.
Follow us on Instagram:
@achangemindset
@junloveyoung
Learn more about Gavriella: * Gavriella’s LinkedIn * Gavriella’s Twitter * Gavriella’s Website
Episode resources:
- A Change Mindset on Instagram
- A Change Mindset's Website
- ZUM Communications on Facebook
- ZUM Communications on Twitter
- Send your stories and feedback on this episode to contact@zumcom.com
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
- Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
- Follow on Spotify
“Our deepest fears are like dragons guarding our deepest treasure.” —Rainer Maria Rilka
Sometimes what keeps us from the change we want to see in our life are the dragons of our deepest fears.
In this special episode of “A Change Mindset,” we reflect on what we’ve learned about change from our guests so far.
We explore how our guests tamed their dragons of fear and discover that three themes — purpose, self-trust and patience — can help us push through fear and face change head on.
Follow us on Instagram:
@achangemindset
@junloveyoung
Episode resources:
- A Change Mindset on Instagram
- A Change Mindset's Website
- ZUM Communications on Facebook
- ZUM Communications on Twitter
- Send your stories and feedback on this episode to contact@zumcom.com
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
- Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
- Follow on Spotify
Security and practicality were always the top priorities for Kiesha Garrison, until one day her young daughter said something that changed everything: “Mommy, let your dreams be free.” In this episode of A Change Mindset, Kiesha describes how she finally pursued her dreams of becoming a professional emcee, speaker, and comedian, and discovered security grounded inside of herself.
Featuring “Softer on My Mind” by Tow’rs.
Follow us on Instagram:
@achangemindset
@junloveyoung
Learn more about Kiesha: * Kiesha’s LinkedIn * Kiesha’s Twitter * Kiesha’s Instagram * Kiesha’s Website
Episode resources:
- A Change Mindset on Instagram
- A Change Mindset's Website
- ZUM Communications on Facebook
- ZUM Communications on Twitter
- Send your stories and feedback on this episode to contact@zumcom.com
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
- Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
- Follow on Spotify
Assigned female at birth, Aiden Yang’s first sentence as a child was, “I’m a boy.” In this episode of A Change Mindset, Aiden – an author, speaker and employer branding expert – explains how it took decades to fully honor his truth and complete his journey of transformation as a transgender man.
Featuring “Liminal” by Tow’rs.
Follow us on Instagram:
@achangemindset
@junloveyoung
Learn more about Aiden: * Aiden’s LinkedIn * Aiden’s Instagram * Aiden’s Website * Check out his book “The Spineless Porcupine: Why Our Differences are Superpowers”
Episode resources:
- A Change Mindset on Instagram
- A Change Mindset's Website
- ZUM Communications on Facebook
- ZUM Communications on Twitter
- Send your stories and feedback on this episode to contact@zumcom.com
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
- Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
- Follow on Spotify
In this episode of A Change Mindset, Jun speaks with Sarah J. Haggard, founder and CEO of Tribute about taking that all important leap of faith. Despite all of her success in the marketing world, Sarah realized that her true calling was her passion for human connection and mentorship, and decided to take the first step into building a better world.
Featuring “Going” by Tow’rs.
Follow us on Instagram:
@achangemindset
@junloveyoung
Learn more about Sarah and Tribute: * Sarah’s LinkedIn * Sarah’s Twitter * Tribute’s Website
Episode resources:
- A Change Mindset on Instagram
- A Change Mindset's Website
- ZUM Communications on Facebook
- ZUM Communications on Twitter
- Send your stories and feedback on this episode to contact@zumcom.com
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
- Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
- Follow on Spotify
Since the late 1920’s, the Harlem Globetrotters have been breaking barriers in the sport of basketball and beyond. As the world changed, the iconic brand has generally maintained their look, sound, and moves. But times are changing and so are the Globetrotters. At the helm of their transformation is today’s guest, Sunni Hickman, their VP of Marketing & Sales. Whether she’s talking about her personal hardships, transforming a 95-year-old iconic brand, working with Dolly Parton at Dollywood, or her mission to be a force for good in a deeply divided America — Sunni exudes wisdom, grace, and hope. She is an incredible agent of change who says — find a way or make one!
Featuring "Water Under the Bridge" by Tow'rs.
Follow us on Instagram:
@achangemindset
@junloveyoung
Learn more about Sunni and Harlem Globetrotters: * Sunni’s LinkedIn * Sunni’s Twitter * Harlem Globetrotters Website
Episode resources:
- A Change Mindset on Instagram
- A Change Mindset's Website
- ZUM Communications on Facebook
- ZUM Communications on Twitter
- Send your stories and feedback on this episode to contact@zumcom.com
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
- Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
- Follow on Spotify
Raj Singh, CEO of Accolade, is on a mission to change the way healthcare works in the United States. In this episode, he shares the backstory behind this mission, why critics were adamant he shouldn't do this, and how he overcame fear of failure to follow his heart. Featuring "River" by Tow'rs.
Learn more about Raj:
- Raj’s LinkedIn
- Raj’s Twitter
Follow Jun on Instagram: @junloveyoung
Episode resources:
- A Change Mindset on Instagram
- A Change Mindset's Website
- ZUM Communications on Facebook
- ZUM Communications on Twitter
- Send your stories and feedback on this episode to contact@zumcom.com
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
- Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
- Follow on Spotify
Learn more about Mika: * Mika’s LinkedIn * Mika’s Twitter
Episode resources:
- A Change Mindset on Instagram
- A Change Mindset's Website
- ZUM Communications on Facebook
- ZUM Communications on Twitter
- Send your stories and feedback on this episode to contact@zumcom.com
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
- Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
- Follow on Spotify
Learn more about Sharon: * Sharon's LinkedIn * Sharon's Twitter
Episode resources:
- A Change Mindset on Instagram
- A Change Mindset's Website
- ZUM Communications on Facebook
- ZUM Communications on Twitter
- Send your stories and feedback on this episode to contact@zumcom.com
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
- Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
- Follow on Spotify
Learn more about Elena: * Elena's LinkedIn * Elena's Twitter * Elena on Lead Parenting
Episode resources:
- A Change Mindset on Instagram
- A Change Mindset's Website
- ZUM Communications on Facebook
- ZUM Communications on Twitter
- Send your stories and feedback on this episode to contact@zumcom.com
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
- Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
- Follow on Spotify
Learn more about Jun: * Jun's LinkedIn * Jun's Instagram * Jun's Facebook
Episode resources:
- A Change Mindset on Instagram
- A Change Mindset's Website
- ZUM Communications on Facebook
- ZUM Communications on Twitter
- Send your stories and feedback on this episode to contact@zumcom.com
If you enjoyed this episode then please either:
- Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
- Follow on Spotify
There are two ways of seeing your role in life: as an object in motion or an agent of change.
The first way leaves you lost and afraid. The second gives you purpose and power. Do you believe your life happens to you or through you? Are you a lifeboat tossing and turning at sea or are you the captain steering the ship through storms and strife.
If life is a grand play, do you see yourself as one of the actors on stage or are you the play write and the director shaping the story. There's something I want you to know in this moment right now, you are an agent of change. You are not just an object in motion, you are a being in action. You exist for a reason.
And whether you realize it or not, your life has always been a call to adventure. And what makes every adventure interesting are the twists and turns of change.
You are enough. There's nothing you need to learn or fix or buy to become the agent of change your life deserves.
You already have all it takes to lead your life, to bring incredible goodness to the world and to be the dynamic hero in your own epic adventure. All you have to do is accept and inhabit your true identity as an agent of change.
This is A Change Mindset.