Air-Check Your Life

Latest Episodes:

Frequency Over Force with Courtney McDermott Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

Join hosts Mathew Blades and Courtney McDermott as they explore the powerful concept of “frequency over force” and why shifting your internal state, rather than pushing harder, is the key to meaningful transformation. Drawing on neuroscience, personal stories, and practical techniques, Courtney McDermott explains how brainwave frequencies impact our stress and fulfillment, and why simply “forcing it” leads to exhaustion and dissatisfaction. Discover actionable tools, like deep breathing, meditation, and micro-moments of relaxation, that help you move out of fight-or-flight and into a flow state, opening the door to authentic achievement and well-being.

This episode includes a guided meditation and real talk about why “getting horizontal” can be your superpower. Perfect for those seeking greater ease, clarity, and purpose without sacrificing results.

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

Air Checking Your Life with Mathew Blades Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

Let’s Air-Check Your Life with Mathew Blades

In this solo episode, Mathew Blades invites listeners to “air-check” their lives using a proven framework from his decades in radio. Instead of just making changes at random, Mathew encourages reflection on three core questions: What are you getting right? What’s going okay but could be better with a tweak? And what’s actively holding you back?

With relatable stories and down-to-earth guidance, Mathew explores how taking an honest inventory can transform relationships, career, and personal growth. He offers specific examples and prompts listeners to pause, jot down their answers, and build a roadmap for meaningful 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

A Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem with Jill McMahon Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

A Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem with Jill McMahon

In this candid and compassionate episode of Learn From People Who Lived It, grief specialist and suicidologist Jill McMahon joins Mathew for an honest conversation about the realities of suicide, its profound ripple effects, and the urgent need for open dialogue.

They unpack the latest statistics and reveal that each suicide impacts at least 135 people, highlighting how widespread and under-discussed the issue truly is. By shedding light on stigma and advocating for compassionate communication, this episode empowers listeners to create a safer, more supportive community for those struggling.

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

Air-Check Your Life | Mastering Awareness with Dr Dave Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Mathew and Dr. Dave dive into the “Awareness Control Matrix,” a practical framework for personal growth and behavioral change. Building on last week’s discussion of metacognition, Dr. Dave explains why self-awareness often emerges before self-control, and why it’s so easy to get stuck in old patterns despite good intentions. The conversation explores the challenges of breaking automatic responses, the neuroscience behind emotional triggers, and the importance of pausing before reacting.

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

Letting Your Talents Shine with Cortney McDermott Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Mathew Blades and author/speaker Cortney McDermott explore the Parable of Talents and how it applies to discovering and growing your own unique gifts. Their conversation weaves together the spiritual insight that “faith bridges the gap between hope and trust” and the practical need to cultivate and share your talents with the world.

Cortney breaks down the parable’s teachings, revealing its timely message about wealth consciousness, purpose, and the risks of hiding your gifts. They discuss the environmental and internal factors that shape our sense of self and talent, the importance of nurturing what you’ve been given, and how trusting a higher power can unlock new possibilities.

The episode also features an actionable meditation to help listeners tune in to their talents and reflect on how to serve others with what they have to offer.

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

Tongue Talk How Small Clues Reveal Your Health with Dr. Anna Marie Frank Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Your Body Is Trying to Warn You with Dr. Anna Marie Frank

In this episode, Mathew Blades sits down with Dr. Anna Marie Frank to unpack the subtle ways our bodies communicate health imbalances, often long before symptoms become serious. Dr. Anna Marie Frank, author, speaker, and Chinese medicine enthusiast, shares how the tongue acts as a window into gut health, adrenal function, and even emotional well-being. They explore real-life examples and practical techniques to decode these clues, from spotting tongue discoloration to understanding quivering or scalloping as signs of deeper issues. Dr. Frank offers actionable advice on restoring gut health, including the role of specific supplements, probiotics, and dietary changes. If you’ve ever suspected your body was trying to tell you something, this episode will give you tools to listen, decode, and take meaningful steps toward healing.

Try the supplements she was talking about here

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

Man Listen, Safe Spaces for Black Men’s Mental Health with Mark McCray Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

Man, Listen: Mental Health for Black Men with Mark McCray

In this episode, you'll hear:

- How cultural stigma in the Black community shapes men's experiences with mental health
- The impact of vulnerability and honest conversation in breaking cycles of silence
- Practical tools to navigate people-pleasing, leadership challenges, and self-esteem
- What makes the trauma faced by Black men unique in America, and why addressing it matters for all of us

Mathew Blades sits down with Mark McCray, host of the “Man Listen” podcast, for a candid conversation about deconstructing barriers to mental health in the Black community. Mark McCray shares his own journey, lessons learned from therapy, and how opening up creates ripples for others to seek help.

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

Healing After Change: Workplace Grief with Jill McMahon Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, you'll hear:

How grief shows up in the workplace beyond death, including loss of relationships, health, or missed promotions

The importance of shifting bereavement policies to be more supportive and inclusive
Practical advice for handling grief at work, both as a grieving employee and as a supportive coworker
Strategies for regaining control after loss, including Jill’s “back pocket” tool for navigating difficult conversations

Mathew and Jill dive into the complexity of grief at work, exploring why both corporations and individuals often struggle to address it. Jill McMahon, a grief expert and gun violence survivor, shares actionable tips for HR professionals, leaders, and anyone experiencing loss. From redefining what grief means to offering specific ways to support colleagues, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking to create a healthier, more empathetic workplace.

Share this with a friend or coworker who needs to hear it, grief isn't just about death.

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

Thinking About Thinking: Unlocking Metacognition with Dr. Dave Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Ever wondered why you react the way you do?

Or how you could make better choices in the moment?

In this episode, host Mathew Blades and psychiatrist Dr. Dave explore metacognition, the art of thinking about your thinking. Dr. Dave explains how developing awareness of your own thought processes can help you create space between stimulus and response, offering practical strategies to break reactive habits and gain more control over your actions, especially in stressful situations at work or in life.

Whether you’re quick to anger, struggle with anxiety, or just want to feel more in control, this episode offers insightful tools to help you respond with intention instead of reaction.

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

Year of the Fire Horse Embracing Patience with Cortney McDermott Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Do you have the patience to wait for clarity, or are you always chasing what's next?

In this episode of Learn From People Who Lived It, Mathew Blades and Cortney McDermott explore the art of patience, presence, and non-doing in the context of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Fire Horse.

Drawing inspiration from the Tao Te Ching, they break down the wisdom of waiting for the “mud to settle,” trusting that the right action will arise on its own. You’ll hear honest reflections on life after high-achieving careers, the struggle to slow down, and how rest can spark creativity and clarity.

The episode wraps with a calming guided meditation to help you connect with your breath and inner wisdom.

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