Healthy Mind, Healthy Life

In this groundbreaking episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty is joined by Charley Johnson, former president of the Pay It Forward Foundation and a visionary behind the role of Chief Consciousness Officer (CCO). Together, they dive deep into why the future of leadership isn’t found in data dashboards or KPIs—but in consciousness. Charley explores how expanding awareness can transform decision-making, leadership, and company culture, especially in a world racing toward AI integration. If you’re a CEO, founder, or curious soul wondering how to future-proof your leadership, this episode is a must-listen.

About the Guest:
Charley Johnson is a business owner, spiritual student, and the former president of the Pay It Forward Foundation. As the architect of the Chief Consciousness Officer role, he bridges the worlds of business and spirituality, helping companies expand awareness to thrive in a rapidly changing world. His teachings are reshaping how organizations think about leadership, decision-making, and the human experience in the age of AI.

Key Takeaways:

• The Chief Consciousness Officer is the next evolution in leadership—similar to how CTOs revolutionized tech adoption.

• Consciousness isn’t spiritual fluff—it’s a tactical advantage for clarity, creativity, and connection.

• Leaders can no longer solve problems with the same mindset that created them; awareness expansion is critical.

• Consciousness is the water we swim in—it’s time to understand and utilize it intentionally.

• This isn’t about mindfulness apps—it's about embodying human intelligence in every business decision.

Connect with Charley Johnson:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjconsciousness/

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In this deeply moving episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty welcomes Chaplain Felice—Christian marriage coach and powerful communicator—to uncover why so many of us feel unheard, even when we're speaking. Drawing from his own story of devastating early loss, Felice explains how trauma fueled his lifelong obsession with communication. He breaks down the 20 hidden barriers that silently sabotage our relationships, especially pride, selfishness, and silence. From marriage to leadership, Felice shows us that poor communication is often a reflection of poor character—and that healing starts with humility, curiosity, and accountability.

 

About the Guest:
Chaplain Felice is a Christian marriage coach with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. After losing his entire immediate family by age 13, Felice turned his pain into purpose, dedicating his life to understanding how we connect—and why we often fail. Through his course on “20 Communication Barriers,” he helps couples, teams, and individuals build deeper, more honest relationships.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Communication is a character mirror: Pride and selfishness aren't just traits—they're communication killers.

• Silence is not peace: Avoidance can slowly erode even the strongest bonds.

• Trauma can fuel purpose: Felice’s childhood loss led him to master the art of human connection.

• Listening is love in action: Curiosity and presence can re-open shut doors in relationships.

• Start small: Healing begins with awareness—and the courage to ask better questions.

 

Connect with Chaplain Felice:
Explore his transformational course and work on the 20 Communication Barriers via links shared in the show notes. Reach out, learn more, and start rebuilding your communication bridges.

 

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In this empowering episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik welcomes Bernice McDonald, coach, speaker, and author of Brave Enough to Be Myself. Together, they explore the often-unspoken fears that hold us back from becoming who we truly are. Bernice shares insights from her transformative book, highlighting the concept of taking “tiny brave steps” and the power of befriending fear. She introduces listeners to the "hot air balloon" perspective—a way to rise above life's struggles and see the bigger picture—and the idea of embracing our "strange jewels," the unique gifts we often hide. This soulful conversation is a gentle yet powerful reminder that courage is about showing up every day, one small step at a time.

 

About the Guest:
Bernice McDonald is a transformational coach, speaker, and author passionate about helping women in the second half of life rediscover their courage and self-worth. With over two decades of coaching experience, she guides women through life’s hardest challenges, one tiny brave step at a time. Her book Brave Enough to Be Myself is the first in her Little Books of Courage series, offering a four-week journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Courage is built on small, consistent actions, not grand gestures.

• Fear can be befriended, not battled—Bernice calls hers “Fred.”

• The “hot air balloon” perspective helps you rise above immediate struggles and view your life journey with clarity.

• “Strange jewels” are the unique traits we hide but can become our greatest strengths.

• Self-compassion is essential in balancing bravery without adding pressure to “fix” yourself.

 

Connect with Bernice McDonald:
Website: bernicemcdonald.com
Email: bernice@bernicemcdonald.com
LinkedIn: Bernice McDonald
Facebook: Bernice McDonald

 

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In this deeply inspiring episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik sits down with Benjamin Nevares—former Team USA powerlifter, published exercise scientist, and founder of multiple companies—to unpack what it really means to rebuild your life from the inside out. From growing up in a Texas town where less than 1% make it to college, to battling addiction even while competing at elite levels, Ben shares his raw, powerful story of grit, purpose, and transformation.

Together, they explore how fitness anchored his sobriety, why redefining success matters, and how choosing discipline over comfort—day after day—can change your life.

 

About the Guest:
Benjamin Nevares is a former Team USA powerlifting competitor, researcher in exercise science, founder of iE Health, and host of The Ben Thinking Podcast. From near-collapse to coaching others, Ben now helps individuals break through their mental and physical barriers using science-backed methods and lived experience.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Sobriety isn’t just quitting—it’s rewriting your identity.

• The gym became Ben’s mirror—reflecting his choices, habits, and healing.

• Success is more than money; it’s impact, integrity, and peace.

• You don’t need a roadmap to greatness—just the courage to begin.

• Grind culture can be toxic. Sustainable success requires presence and balance.

 

Connect with Benjamin Nevares:
Follow Ben’s work, podcast, and coaching programs:

• Instagram: ⁠@bennevares⁠

• Podcast: ⁠Ben Thinking⁠

• IE Health: ⁠iehealth.co

Podcast: The Ben Thinking Podcast

 

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In this transformative episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Benjamin McQueen—recovered addict, family man, and CEO of Karuna Kava Bar & Beverage Company. Together, they explore the journey from addiction to healing, and how creating zero-proof social spaces like Karuna is revolutionizing how we connect, celebrate, and cope—without alcohol.

Ben shares his powerful story of early exposure to drinking, hitting rock bottom, and the life-changing discovery of kava—a traditional South Pacific beverage that supports relaxation, community, and clarity without the buzz. They unpack why so many social settings revolve around alcohol, how kava helps reduce cravings, and what it really takes to build a meaningful sober life filled with purpose and connection.

 

About the Guest:
Benjamin McQueen is the founder and CEO of Karuna Kava Bar, a wellness-driven space rooted in community, comfort, and clarity. Once homeless and addicted, he now champions a culture of conscious consumption and sober healing. Through kava, tea, and other botanical beverages, Ben is building a movement of mindful connection for those seeking alternatives to alcohol.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Kava is a traditional, non-alcoholic drink that supports calm, clarity, and social connection without impairment.

• Recovery isn't the end of fun—it's the beginning of deeper joy, purpose, and relationships.

• Zero-proof social spaces like Karuna Kava Bar create safe havens for those reimagining their lives.

• True friends stick around beyond the bottle.

• Healing happens in community, not isolation—and starts with one brave decision to change.

Connect with Benjamin McQueen:

• Website: https://karunakava.com

• Visit: Karuna Kava Bar, Boise, Idaho

• Social: Find Karuna Kava on Instagram and Facebook

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In this thought-provoking episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik sits down with Alexandra Mell-Taylor, a trans, nonbinary writer and fierce cultural commentator, to explore the intersection of identity, pop culture, and mental wellness. Alexandra shares how community—online and offline—can be both healing and harmful, depending on how we show up. From their work in DC activist circles to creating speculative fiction spaces, Alexandra unpacks how storytelling, media, and digital spaces affect marginalized identities and mental health. Tune in for a raw conversation on resilience, representation, and reclaiming community power.

 

About the Guest:
Alexandra Mell-Taylor is a trans, nonbinary writer known for their cultural commentary and speculative fiction. They are the founder of After the Storm, a futurist magazine curating global voices. With a personal blog that has garnered hundreds of thousands of readers, Alexandra dives deep into pop culture and politics, always with an intersectional lens. Their work examines how systems shape identity and well-being—especially for queer communities.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Identity can be both healing and heavy—especially when it’s shaped by others.

• Community isn't just a backdrop; it’s a vital part of mental health.

• Digital spaces can offer care, but in-person support often runs deeper.

• Pop culture has power—it can perpetuate harm or create representation.

• Fiction, especially fan fiction, can be a tool of mental resilience and identity empowerment.

• Communities must be actively nurtured—they don’t survive on autopilot.

 

Connect with Alexandra:
Website: https://alexhasopinions.medium.com
Magazine: After the Storm (Details on Alexandra’s Medium blog)

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