Education

Silver Disobedience® Perception Dynamics with Dian Griesel: How People Think, Lead and Succeed

A psychology & mindset podcast for anyone rethinking success, leadership and reinvention at any age. Host Dian Griesel is a communication counselor and the provocateur of perception known as @SilverDisobedience She sits down with fascinating guests for unscripted, no-holds-barred conversations on human behavior, personal growth, mental health, relationships, pop culture + the B.S. in between. Through bold questions that spark honest revelations and unguarded “aha” truths, every episode delivers real mindset shifts, hard-won wisdom, and inspiration for living — and aging — on your own terms.

Latest Episodes:

How Two Women Turned Divorce, Remarriage & Blended Family into an Unexpected Friendship Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

Wives-in-Law: How Two Women Married to the Same Man Became Friends | Andrea Cataneo & Heidi Prudente

On this ⁨@SilverDisobedience⁩ Perception Dynamics podcast, host Dian Griesel talks with Andrea Cataneo and Heidi Prudente, two women who were married to the same man at different times and chose communication and cooperation over competition in their blended family.

Andrea and Heidi share how awkward beginnings, insecurities, and assumptions evolved into trust through shared milestones like graduations, weddings, vacations, and late-night conversations -- all of which ultimately inspired their book, Wives in Law: A Story of Unexpected Friendship. The women discuss finding common ground, being careful with assumptions, addressing conflict directly, and prioritizing the kids while building a relationship that became genuine friendship beyond family obligations. Heidi and Andrea also explain the “wife-in-law” term, reactions from others, and how their approach can make milestone events less stressful for everyone involved.

You can follow Andrea Cataneo & Heidi Prudente at any of these links:https://www.facebook.com/WivesInLaw

https://www.instagram.com/wivesinlawofficial/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wives-in-law/

email: wivesinlaw@gmail.com

Get the book on Amazon:

https://amzn.to/4h5WPVJ

Andrea: https://www.facebook.com/andrea.cataneo

Heidi: https://www.facebook.com/Heidi.J.Prudente

Kind Isn’t Weak: https://www.facebook.com/KindIsntWeak

If you enjoyed this, please SUBSCRIBE and SHARE!

I’m Dian Griesel aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here: ⁠⁠https://diangriesel.com⁠⁠

For three decades, I’ve helped people understand what they may be missing — in themselves, in others, and in the situations they face — so they can communicate with greater clarity, make wiser decisions, and navigate both business and life more effectively.

“Raw, truth-driven conversations with fascinating guests — from business & psychology to careers, pop culture & the B.S. in between."

Expect bold questions. Unfiltered insights. A few laughs. Real growth.

Subscribe & Join the Conversation.

AI & The Human Connection Crisis with Christina Tracey-Stein, Ph.D. Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

AI, Social Media & the Human Connection Crisis | Dr. Kristina Tracy Stein

In this ⁨@SilverDisobedience⁩ Perception Dynamics podcast, host Dian Griesel welcomes licensed marriage and family therapist Dr. Kristina Tracy Stein to discuss what they describe as a growing human connection crisis despite unprecedented digital connectivity. Together, they explore how AI chatbots and social media can reinforce one-sided perspectives, reduce accountability, and weaken empathy, repair skills, and face-to-face communication -- especially for youth. Dr. Stein shares how online dating and endless options can lower tolerance for imperfection, fuel fear of missing out (FOMO), and undermine presence, commitment, and intimacy. They critique pop-psychology labels like “toxic” and “narcissist,” emphasize curiosity and second chances in relationships, and note how fear of judgment and being filmed dampens spontaneity, flirting, and real-world socializing. Dr. Stein’s parting advice is to take action by complimenting someone to help rebuild connection.

You can learn more about Dr. Christina Tracy Stein here:https://www.drchristinatracystein.com/

If you enjoyed this, please SUBSCRIBE and SHARE!

I’m Dian Griesel aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here: ⁠⁠https://diangriesel.com

⁠⁠For three decades, I’ve helped people understand what they may be missing — in themselves, in others, and in the situations they face — so they can communicate with greater clarity, make wiser decisions, and navigate both business and life more effectively.

“Raw, truth-driven conversations with fascinating guests — from business & psychology to careers, pop culture & the B.S. in between."

Expect bold questions. Unfiltered insights. A few laughs. Real growth.

Subscribe & Join the Conversation.

Second Servings: Redefining Food Rescue with Barbara Bronstein Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

How Barbara Bronstein Built Second Servings Houston at 60: Rescuing Surplus Food to Fight Hunger and Waste

In this ⁨@SilverDisobedience⁩ Perception Dynamics Podcast host Dian Griesel interviews Barbara Bronstein, founder of Second Servings Houston, who launched a food rescue organization at age 60 after seeing large amounts of prepared food discarded at charity events. After learning food banks wouldn’t accept cooked food, she connected events with a local soup kitchen, researched food recovery nationwide, and formed a 501(c)(3) with pro bono legal help, grants, and a pilot with a Meals on Wheels program using idle refrigerated trucks.

Second Servings now operates as a logistics-focused model with seven refrigerated vans, making 30–40 same-day pickups and deliveries daily from events, hotels, commissaries, and grocery stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. The organization runs free Pop-Up Grocery Stores, distributes food through local nonprofits, relies on grants, individuals, and sponsors, and emphasizes legal protections under the Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act while addressing Houston’s high food insecurity and environmental impact of food waste.

Learn more about the amazing work being done: https://secondservingshouston.org/

If you enjoyed this, please SUBSCRIBE and SHARE!

I’m Dian Griesel aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here: ⁠⁠https://diangriesel.com⁠⁠

“Raw, truth-driven conversations with fascinating guests — from business & psychology to careers, pop culture & the B.S. in between."

Expect bold questions. Unfiltered insights. A few laughs. Real growth.

Subscribe & Join the Conversation.

The Importance of Mattering with John R. Miles of Passion Struck Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

John R. Miles on The Mattering Effect: Rebuilding Meaning, Connection & Self-Worth in a Culture of Utility

In this ⁨@SilverDisobedience⁩ Perception Dynamics host Dian Griesel interviews John R. Miles, author of Passion Struck and host of the Passion Struck podcast, about his new book The Mattering Effect and why many outwardly successful people still feel burned out, lonely, disconnected, or emotionally depleted.

Miles argues these struggles are driven by “unmattering,” a gradual erosion of significance as modern institutions shift us from a culture of mattering to a culture of utility, where worth becomes conditional, transactional, and tied to performance, status, and visibility -- especially in workplaces and social media. He explains the “mattering market,” rooted in childhood environments that condition autonomy, competence, and relatedness, and describes social media as an accelerant that quantifies belonging.

Miles introduces his science-based MATTER framework: Meaning, Autonomy, Trust, Time, Energy, and Reciprocity as he emphasizes self-mattering as the starting point for restoring connection and flourishing.

You can learn more here on his website: https://johnrmiles.com/

The Mattering Effect book: https://link.amazon/B0gE9LZuB

If you enjoyed this, please SUBSCRIBE and SHARE!

I’m Dian Griesel aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here: ⁠⁠https://diangriesel.com

"Raw, truth-driven conversations with fascinating guests — from business & psychology to careers, pop culture & the B.S. in between."

Expect bold questions. Unfiltered insights. A few laughs. Real growth.

Subscribe & Join the Conversation.

Clear Trauma Now: Dr. Judith Swack's Holistic Healing Techniques Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

Why You Regress Around Family: Dr. Judith Swack on Trauma Triggers, Damage Patterns & Tapping to Regulate

⁨@SilverDisobedience⁩ Perception Dynamics host Dian Griesel interviews Dr. Judith Swack, a biochemist and immunologist, who is also the author of “Clear Trauma Now.” Together they explore why capable adults can regress around family gatherings or feel outsized reactions to certain holidays, dates, people, and places. Dr. Swack explains “damage patterns” as unconscious, physiological responses formed when trauma isn’t fully processed, which can shape perception, behavior, health, and relationships for decades. She outlines her Healing from the Body Level Up (HBLU) method that integrates conscious, unconscious, body, and soul levels, and describes using muscle testing to access inner guidance and identify blocks. Defining trauma as a fight-or-flight response that becomes conditioned and “frozen in time,” Dr. Swack proposes to the audience that time doesn’t heal trauma and she demonstrates how tapping/meridian techniques can activate a calming reflex to reduce traumatic reactions and help separate experiences from identity.

Judith Swack, Ph.D. Linked in:https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-a-swack-ph-d/

Website: https://www.hblu.org/about

Book: Clear Trauma Now

https://link.amazon/B04NYDYOp

If you enjoyed this, please SUBSCRIBE and SHARE!

I’m Dian Griesel aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here: ⁠⁠https://diangriesel.com⁠⁠

Raw, truth-driven conversations with fascinating guests — from business & psychology to careers, pop culture & the B.S. in between." Expect bold questions. Unfiltered insights.

A few laughs. Real growth.

Subscribe & Join the Conversation.

The Impact of Our Surroundings on Our Headspace with Leidy Klotz Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

How Your Space Shapes Your Mind with Leidy Klotz, Author of "In a Good Place"

In this ⁨@SilverDisobedience⁩ Perception Dynamics podcast episode, Dian Griesel interviews University of Virginia professor Leidy Klotz about his book, In a Good Place, and how the spaces where we live, work, and play quietly shape our thoughts, emotions, relationships, and behaviors.

Together, they discuss how familiarity and a sense of control can increase comfort in an environment; why spaces can “advertise our values;” and, how small, intentional changes -- such as reducing clutter or redesigning layouts -- can reinforce desired values and connection.

Klotz explains the calming effect of “organized complexity” found in nature and design, and how noise and clutter can raise stress even when tuned out. He also suggests “space before screen” to reconnect with the physical world.

As a way to regain attention, he notes that observing the ways that kids’ notice their worlds serves as a good model for developing deeper awareness.

Grab a copy of Leidy's book: "In a Good Place"

If you enjoyed this, please SUBSCRIBE and SHARE!

I’m Dian Griesel aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here: ⁠⁠https://diangriesel.com⁠⁠

"Raw, truth-driven conversations with fascinating guests — from business & psychology to careers, pop culture & the B.S. in between." Expect bold questions. Unfiltered insights.

A few laughs. Real growth.Subscribe & Join the Conversation.

When Words Aren't Enough: Exploring Hidden Conversations with Dian Griesel, Perception Analyst & Professional Confidant Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

The Conversation Beneath the Conversation: How Perception Drives Misunderstandings

In this ⁨@SilverDisobedience⁩ Perception Dynamics podcast episode, host Dian Griesel explains why conversations can get really confusing or very tense -- even when we're thinking our words seemed straight-forward enough. Dian explains that in most conversations, there is the primary one and often a second, “invisible” conversation happening underneath. This second convo is being shaped by each person’s interpretations of trust, respect, competence, control, and safety. Using examples like discussing project decisions, lateness, pricing, and seemingly reasonable questions that are heard as criticism, Dian describes how meaning forms through individual perception -- highly personalized lenses built from our unique past experiences, sensitivities, and current emotional states. It is these factors that lead to emotions and then behavior that can derail communication. Dian explains that most communication breakdowns are interpretation issues and suggests that "getting curious" instead of over-explaining or getting louder is a great strategy to use. This might be remembering to ask questions like “What did you hear me say?” or “What changed in this conversation?” to uncover what the words meant to the other person and move toward resolution. Tune is for 16 minute and learn new ways to elevate your communication skills.

If you enjoyed this, please SUBSCRIBE and SHARE!

I’m Dian Griesel aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here: ⁠⁠https://diangriesel.com⁠⁠

Raw, truth-driven conversations with fascinating guests — from business & psychology to careers, pop culture & the B.S. in between." Expect bold questions. Unfiltered insights. A few laughs. Real growth.

Subscribe & Join the Conversation

The Heart- Brain- Memory Connection with Deborah Rozman, HeartMath Institute Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Heart-Brain Coherence: HeartMath’s Deborah Rozman on Stress, Memory & Alzheimer’s Protection

In this ⁨@SilverDisobedience⁩ Perception Dynamics episode, host Dian Griesel interviews Deborah Rozman, Ph.D. of The HeartMath Institute about research that supports evidence that the heart and brain constantly communicate and influence emotions, stress responses, and cognitive health. Rozman describes HeartMath’s origins, early biofeedback work, and how heart rate variability (HRV) patterns reflect emotional states—jagged during stress and smooth, sine wave-like during positive emotions — termed heart coherence.

During the episode you'll hear about evidence that most heart-brain signaling is heart-to-brain via pathways including the vagus nerve, and how coherence breathing paired with gratitude or compassion can balance the nervous system.

Rozman cites independent studies using HeartMath sensors reporting correlations between daily coherence practice and reduced amyloid markers, improved memory, and reversal of early dementia symptoms, and explains mechanisms involving stress shutdown of higher cognition versus coherence facilitating memory and executive centers.

Learn more about HeartMath here: https://www.heartmath.com/

Please SUBSCRIBE!I’m Dian Griesel aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here: ⁠⁠https://diangriesel.com⁠⁠

Raw, truth-driven conversations with fascinating guests — from business & psychology to careers, pop culture & the B.S. in between." Expect bold questions. Unfiltered insights. A few laughs.

Real growth.Subscribe & Join the Conversation.

The Impact of Our Environments with Dr. Steve Rondeau Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Think Like a Brain: How Environment Shapes Your Mind with Dr. Steve Rondeau

In this ⁨@SilverDisobedience⁩ Perception Dynamics podcast episode, host Dian Griesel interviews Dr. Steve Rondeau about “thinking like a brain” and the idea that many struggles we experience may reflect a brain responding appropriately to an unsupportive environment rather than being broken.

Dr. Rondeau explains how EEG-based brain scans measure real-time electrical functioning, identifying over- and underactive areas and responses to triggers. He presents a fascinating argument that mental health often treats the brain without adequately testing it first. Drawing on over 50,000 scans, work in residential addiction centers, and studies of groups like racing drivers, he describes how the same brain patterns that are often tied to problems can also relate to strengths, and how people in the same setting interpret experiences differently.

Dr. Rondeau also discusses using scan reports to help providers tailor interventions, applications for peak performance and major life transitions, and research on predicting serious self-harm.

Get a copy of Dr. Rondeau's book, Think Like a Brain here: https://link.amazon/B0byvc4dz

Please SUBSCRIBE!

I’m Dian Griesel aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here: ⁠⁠https://diangriesel.com⁠⁠For three decades, I’ve helped people understand what they may be missing — in themselves, in others, and in the situations they face — so they can communicate with greater clarity, make wiser decisions, and navigate both business and life more effectively."

Subscribe & Join the Conversation.

The Art of Constructing Leadership and Legacy with Don Taylor, CEO of Welty Enterprises Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Building Beyond Buildings: Don Taylor on Leadership, Legacy, and Resilient Growth in Construction

For this ⁨@SilverDisobedience⁩ Perception Dynamics podcast, host Dian Griesel interviews Don Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Welty Enterprises, about how construction shapes leadership, relationships, and purpose.

Taylor shares how he entered construction through family legacy, including his grandfather’s role in building the first nuclear power plant in Shippingport, PA, and notes a new project developing an AI data center on that cleaned-up site.

They discuss craftsmanship and why many modern U.S. buildings are designed for shorter lifespans, then covers practical fundamentals of starting projects (location, utilities, soil and bearing capacity).

Taylor highlights leadership lessons like “extreme ownership,” asking questions before reacting, breaking big problems into manageable parts, and adopting a “win or learn” mindset. He also explains Welty’s hyper-growth, learning through YPO, post-pandemic challenges (materials, logistics, labor shortages), "Lean thinking", trade careers, improved safety, and construction’s increasing use of AI, technology, and robotics.

You can learn more about Don Taylor and Welty Construction here: https://thinkwelty.com/

Here's Don's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donzell-taylor-14b26b1b/

Please SUBSCRIBE!

I’m Dian Griesel aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here: ⁠⁠https://diangriesel.com⁠⁠

"Raw, truth-driven conversations with fascinating guests — from business & psychology to careers, pop culture & the B.S. in between."

Expect bold questions. Unfiltered insights. A few laughs. Real growth.

Subscribe & Join the Conversation.

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