Air-Check Your Life

Latest Episodes:

Shed Old Skin: Embracing Change Through Personal Hard Conversations Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

Avoiding tough conversations with ourselves is something most people struggle with, but learning to face them can change everything. In this episode, Mathew Blades and Jill McMahon dig into why it's essential to get real, shed old habits, and ask yourself the right questions.

Why pain, change, and uncertainty are unavoidable parts of life
The mindset of people who don’t avoid hard conversations and what they know
How avoiding self-confrontation can impact your health and happiness
The importance of grieving your old plans and embracing new growth
A practical 3-question framework to “air check” your life for change

Visit our Guests:

Mathew Blades - MathewBlades.com

Dr. Anna Marie Frank - https://drannamarie.com

Cortney McDermott - https://www.cortneymcdermott.com

Dr. Dave - https://www.drdaveaz.com/

Jill McMahon - Jillmcmahoncounseling.com

To grab a copy of our 6-Week Wellness course, which is video-led, visit https://a.co/d/0ihE1vaw

If you want to use Streamyard to create a podcast like this, use this link: https://streamyard.com/pal/c/4656111098003456

Mastering Awareness and Control: How Metacognition Transforms Relationships and Work Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

This episode of AirCheck Your Life dives into the Awareness-Control Matrix, showing how metacognition boosts your relationships, decision-making, and emotional intelligence. Join Mathew Blades and Dr. Dave as they break down how to move from reactivity to response in everyday life.

Quick recap of Quadrants 1, 2, and 3 for understanding automatic vs. intentional behavior
What it really means to live in Quadrant 4: awareness plus control
How early detection of triggers prevents escalation and improves communication
Flexible responses: pausing, reframing, and analyzing before acting
Accessing emotions without letting them drive your behavior, ensuring proportionality and faster recovery

Visit our Guests:

Mathew Blades - MathewBlades.com

Dr. Anna Marie Frank - https://drannamarie.com

Cortney McDermott - https://www.cortneymcdermott.com

Dr. Dave - https://www.drdaveaz.com/

Jill McMahon - Jillmcmahoncounseling.com

To grab a copy of our 6-Week Wellness course, which is video-led, visit https://a.co/d/0ihE1vaw

If you want to use Streamyard to create a podcast like this, use this link: https://streamyard.com/pal/c/4656111098003456

What Sustainability Really Means with Mathew Blades, Cortney McDermott Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

What sustainability really means

In this episode, Mathew Blades and Cortney McDermott dive into the real meaning of sustainability, beyond the buzzword. Courtney shares her personal journey as a leader in corporate responsibility and reveals why traditional definitions often fall short.

The conversation shifts from environmental policies to a deeply personal perspective: true sustainability begins with the ability to sustain yourself. Together, Mathew and Cortney explore how relaxing, attuning to your inner frequency, and living from a place of balance can transform not only our well-being but also our impact on future generations.

You’ll hear practical tools for self-reflection, simple meditative practices, and questions to help you assess what’s working, what needs adjustment, and what makes life hard for yourself and others. This episode invites you to get curious about your own life and discover how individual change can spark greater, lasting impact.

Visit our Guests:

Mathew Blades - MathewBlades.com

Dr. Anna Marie Frank - https://drannamarie.com

Cortney McDermott - https://www.cortneymcdermott.com

Dr. Dave - https://www.drdaveaz.com/

Jill McMahon - Jillmcmahoncounseling.com

To grab a copy of our 6-Week Wellness course, which is video-led, visit https://a.co/d/0ihE1vaw

If you want to use Streamyard to create a podcast like this, use this link: https://streamyard.com/pal/c/4656111098003456

How Judging Others’ Grief Creates More Hurt Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of AirCheck Your Life, Mathew and Jill dive into why it's important not to comment on things you don't fully understand, especially when it comes to grief. With special insights from Harry Styles, the conversation explores how judgment around grief does more harm than good.

Key topics covered:

Why people often judge others’ grieving processes and how common this is
Harry Styles' honest perspective on public grief and feeling pressured to share emotions
The dangers of making assumptions about others’ pain, especially after public tragedies
How our brains create stories to fill in gaps when we lack information, and why those stories are usually wrong
Practical advice for building awareness, staying in your lane, and supporting others through grief without judgment

Visit our Guests:

Mathew Blades - MathewBlades.com

Dr. Anna Marie Frank - https://drannamarie.com

Cortney McDermott - https://www.cortneymcdermott.com

Dr. Dave - https://www.drdaveaz.com/

Jill McMahon - Jillmcmahoncounseling.com

To grab a copy of our 6-Week Wellness course, which is video-led, visit https://a.co/d/0ihE1vaw

If you want to use Streamyard to create a podcast like this, use this link: https://streamyard.com/pal/c/4656111098003456

Being Right Can Keep You Stuck with Dr. Dave Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Dr. Dave and Mathew Blades dig deep into why the need to be “right” can keep us trapped in the same old patterns.

Using their AIRCHECK framework, they break down “Quadrant 3,” a state of low awareness but high control, where rigid thinking and emotional avoidance drive behaviors that damage relationships and stifle growth.

Dr. Dave shares practical insights on spotting unconscious rules and identity defenses that keep us stuck, and explains why logic and advice rarely help those in this mindset.

Visit our Guests:

Mathew Blades - MathewBlades.com

Dr. Anna Marie Frank - https://drannamarie.com

Cortney McDermott - https://www.cortneymcdermott.com

Dr. Dave - https://www.drdaveaz.com/

Jill McMahon - Jillmcmahoncounseling.com

To grab a copy of our 6-Week Wellness course, which is video-led, visit https://a.co/d/0ihE1vaw

If you want to use Streamyard to create a podcast like this, use this link: https://streamyard.com/pal/c/4656111098003456

Honoring Grief and Embracing Connection with Cortney McDermott Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

In this heartfelt episode, Mathew Blades opens up about the loss of a beloved uncle, and the duo explores what it means to permit ourselves to feel, without compartmentalizing pain or rushing through difficult moments.

Cortney McDermott guides a grounding meditation centered on collective healing, reminding us of the importance of connection and the safety found in shared experiences. Together, they discuss the beauty of honoring our emotions, the lessons of presence, and the quiet wisdom in simply being with one another.

Visit our Guests:

Mathew Blades - MathewBlades.com

Dr. Anna Marie Frank - https://drannamarie.com

Cortney McDermott - https://www.cortneymcdermott.com

Dr. Dave - https://www.drdaveaz.com/

Jill McMahon - Jillmcmahoncounseling.com

To grab a copy of our 6-Week Wellness course, which is video-led, visit https://a.co/d/0ihE1vaw

If you want to use Streamyard to create a podcast like this, use this link: https://streamyard.com/pal/c/4656111098003456

What our ears, eyes and forehead reveal about your wellness with Dr. Anna Marie Frank Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

In this kickoff episode of "Air Check Your Life," the evolution of the long-running "Learn From People Who Lived It" host, Mathew Blades, welcomes returning guest expert Dr. Anna Marie Frank. Together, they introduce a practical framework for self-reflection inspired by lessons from the broadcasting world: What’s working for you, what needs tweaking, and what isn’t serving you anymore?

Dr. Anna Marie Frank dives into the fascinating art of body mapping from traditional Chinese medicine, revealing how our ears, face, and eyes provide clues about our health, emotional well-being, and even personality tendencies. Listeners will learn how to read signs from their bodies, decode physical markers, and use this insight to make positive life changes.

Visit our Guests:

Mathew Blades - MathewBlades.com

Dr. Anna Marie Frank - https://drannamarie.com

Cortney McDermott - https://www.cortneymcdermott.com

Dr. Dave - https://www.drdaveaz.com/

Jill McMahon - Jillmcmahoncounseling.com

To grab a copy of our 6-Week Wellness course, which is video-led, visit https://a.co/d/0ihE1vaw

If you want to use Streamyard to create a podcast like this, use this link: https://streamyard.com/pal/c/4656111098003456

Advance Your Career Without Losing Yourself with Eva Medilek Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

Advance Your Career Without Sacrificing Your Personal Life with Eva

In this episode, Mathew Blades is joined by Eva, a high-performance coach from the Bay Area, to tackle one of today’s toughest questions: How can you advance your career without losing yourself or your relationships in the process?

Eva shares her own story of burnout and the near-loss of her marriage to illustrate why “doing it all” isn’t sustainable for high-achievers. Together, they explore practical strategies to clarify personal vision, identify what truly matters, and prioritize with intention.

Eva walks listeners through her CPR method, helping you subtract life’s overwhelm instead of constantly adding more. This conversation reframes work-life balance as an ongoing, fluid process, and ends with a powerful exercise to align your daily choices with your best self.

Find her here: https://evamedilek.com

Visit our Guests:

Mathew Blades - MathewBlades.com

Dr. Anna Marie Frank - https://drannamarie.com

Cortney McDermott - https://www.cortneymcdermott.com

Dr. Dave - https://www.drdaveaz.com/

Jill McMahon - Jillmcmahoncounseling.com

To grab a copy of our 6-Week Wellness course, which is video-led, visit https://a.co/d/0ihE1vaw

If you want to use Streamyard to create a podcast like this, use this link: https://streamyard.com/pal/c/4656111098003456

Anticipatory Grief | When Someone You Love Is Dying with Jill McMahon Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

When Someone You Love Is Dying: Anticipatory Grief with Jill McMahon

In this episode, you'll hear:

The four stages of anticipatory grief and how they differ from conventional grief
How to navigate the emotions of loss before it happens, from acceptance and reflection to rehearsal and imagining life without your loved one
Practical advice for mending relationships and preparing for inevitable goodbyes

Mathew Blades welcomes grief specialist Jill McMahon to explore the often-overlooked experience of anticipatory grief, the emotional process that begins before a loved one passes away.

Drawing from personal stories and professional wisdom, Jill outlines key stages in this unique grieving process and highlights the importance of honest self-reflection, open communication, and preparing for life’s transitions.

Together, they challenge listeners to “air check” their own relationships and find ways to reduce regret by making peace now, offering hope, comfort, and actionable insights for anyone facing loss.

To get in touch with our podcast, email INFO@Learnfrompeoplewholivedit.com

Visit our Guests:

Mathew Blades - MathewBlades.com

Dr. Anna Marie Frank - https://drannamarie.com

Cortney McDermott - https://www.cortneymcdermott.com

Dr. Dave - https://www.drdaveaz.com/

Jill McMahon - Jillmcmahoncounseling.com

To grab a copy of our 6-Week Wellness course, which is video-led, visit https://a.co/d/0ihE1vaw

If you want to use Streamyard to create a podcast like this, use this link: https://streamyard.com/pal/c/4656111098003456

Why we get stuck, when we know better with Dr. Dave Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

I Know Better, Why Can’t I Change? with Dr. Dave

In this episode, Mathew Blades and Dr. Dave dive into the frustrating experience of knowing what you “should” do, yet feeling stuck in old habits and emotional responses. Drawing on neuroscience concepts like kindling theory, Dr. Dave explains why our brains default to familiar patterns, even when we want to change. Together, they explore five core reasons for this struggle: emotional avoidance, identity conflicts, perfectionism, the allure of intense reactions, and overthinking at the expense of action. Real-life examples, including stories of anger and defensiveness, ground the conversation in everyday experience. You’ll learn how awareness is just the first step; real change takes ongoing practice, patience, and self-compassion. Dr. Dave offers practical strategies for moving forward and highlights the importance of reviewing and celebrating small wins on the journey toward healthier habits and lasting change.

To get in touch with our podcast, email INFO@Learnfrompeoplewholivedit.com

Visit our Guests:

Mathew Blades - MathewBlades.com

Dr. Anna Marie Frank - https://drannamarie.com

Cortney McDermott - https://www.cortneymcdermott.com

Dr. Dave - https://www.drdaveaz.com/

Jill McMahon - Jillmcmahoncounseling.com

To grab a copy of our 6-Week Wellness course, which is video-led, visit https://a.co/d/0ihE1vaw

If you want to use Streamyard to create a podcast like this, use this link: https://streamyard.com/pal/c/4656111098003456