The Other Side of Potential

Hosted by Sharon Spano

Business Society Culture ScienceInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

353

Latest episode

Sep 2025

Language

About the show

Over time, the conversations we choose to have begin to reflect what matters most. If you’ve been part of this podcast, you’ve heard me speak about human development, systems thinking, and the ways we make meaning of our lives and work. That work continues—and remains at the core of my coaching and professional practice. What has changed is the space where I am choosing to have a different kind of conversation. After the death of my son, Michael, I felt called to create a more personal place—one that speaks directly to the experience of loss, and to the questions that emerge when life no longer looks the way it once did. That space is now Beyond the Loss . This podcast is for parents who have lost a child, and for those who support them. It is not about fixing grief or finding closure, but about understanding how we continue to live, to make meaning, and to become—after loss. If you are looking for my current podcast, you will now find me there. I invite you to join me on Beyond the Loss . You are welcome. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wqQ8MwCty4eJAiZ8VroUV?si=0b4c5d3bab6a4b64

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 24, 2025Episode 35546 min

Episode 355: Best Of: Executive Loneliness and Mental Health in Leadership with Nick Jonsson

While rebuilding his life, award-winning entrepreneur, keynote speaker, podcast host, and bestselling author of Executive Loneliness, Nick Jonsson, began to realize how many business leaders and entrepreneurs need peers who relate to their unique challenges and can play a supportive role, both socially and professionally.Nick has experienced both the highs and lows of the business world. As the co-founder and managing director of Executives Global Network (EGN), which you’ll gain some insight into in this episode, he now provides a haven for members to share their work-related challenges, receive support, and learn from one another. To learn why prioritizing mental health and wellbeing is crucial for high achievers to perform at their best, be sure to tune in today!What You'll Learn in This Episode:The hidden epidemic of executive loneliness and isolation in modern businessHow physical health directly impacts mental health and leadership performanceThe connection between high achievement and anxiety disordersPractical strategies for building both personal and professional support networksHow to "take stock" of your life and identify areas needing attentionThe importance of vulnerability in leadership and peer relationshipsCultural differences in leadership styles between Asia, Europe, and the United StatesHow to find the right coach or mentor for your specific challengesThe role of spirituality and ego management in effective leadershipWhy executives need both personal and professional "safe spaces"Transcript: HereAdditional Resources: Website: nickjonsson.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nick-jonsson YouTube: youtube.com/@NickJonssonFacebook: facebook.com/jonsson.nickInstagram: instagram.com/jonssonnickExecutive Loneliness: https://www.nickjonsson.com/executive-loneliness-bookLinks Mentioned:Executives Global Network (EGN): egnpeernetwork.com EGN Leadership Conversations Podcast: egnpeernetwork.com/podcastSharon Spano:Website: sharonspano.comFacebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHDInstagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/Book: thetimemoneybook.comContact: sharon@sharonspano.comSubstack: substack.com/@drsharonThe Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/

September 17, 2025Episode 3541 hr 1 min

Episode 354: Best Of: Understanding Trauma and Anxiety with Maira Holzmann

In this powerful "best of" episode, Dr. Sharon Spano sits down with Maira Holzmann to explore the growing mental health crisis and innovative approaches to healing trauma through the body. Maira specializes in helping adults heal from childhood trauma using somatic therapy and co-regulating touch, offering insights into why traditional talk therapy alone often falls short in addressing deep-seated trauma patterns.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy anxiety and depression are symptoms of deeper unprocessed trauma, not just mental health conditionsHow trauma lives in the nervous system and affects our physical health, including immune and digestive systemsThe difference between "big T" and "little t" trauma, and why emotional neglect is more common than we realizeWhat co-regulating touch is and how this therapeutic modality can rewire patterns of disconnectionThe critical importance of attunement in childhood and how lack of it creates lifelong patternsHow disembodiment and isolation are fueling the mental health crisis, especially among younger generationsThe difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems (rev vs. restore)Why meaningful touch and connectedness are essential for nervous system regulationPractical self-regulation techniques you can use at homeHow to recognize emotional neglect and its long-term impacts on developmentTranscript: HereAdditional Resources:Website: https://somatictherapypartners.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maira-holzmann-2a2b4b1b6/Links Mentioned:Scattered Minds: https://www.amazon.com/Scattered-Origins-Healing-Attention-Disorder/dp/0676971458/The Polyvagal Theory: https://www.amazon.com/Polyvagal-Theory-Neurophysiological- Communication-Self-regulation/dp/0393707008Sharon Spano:Website: sharonspano.comFacebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHDInstagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/Book: thetimemoneybook.comContact: sharon@sharonspano.comSubstack: substack.com/@drsharonThe Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/

September 10, 2025Episode 35358 min

Episode 353: Best Of: Thriving Under Pressure with Dr. Gary Simonds

When you’re in the midst of burnout, it can be difficult to recognize the signs and take action. Things may feel the same, but with a depleted amount of overall energy to take on what you normally would. So how can we learn to recognize the signs of burnout? And how can we build resilience in the process?Joining us today to discuss this complex topic is Dr. Gary Simonds, who, for the past 14 years, has immersed himself in the study of burnout and building resilience. He’s the author of three books on the subject, namely, Building Resilience in Neurosurgical Residents, The Thriving Physician, and Thriving in Healthcare.Having spent the bulk of his career as a neurosurgeon, Dr. Simonds is no stranger to the toll that this type of work can take on healthcare workers. Tuning in you’ll hear him expand on the nature of burnout, why it can be so difficult to recognize, and what we can do to build resilience. To hear his insights on this complicated subject, and his advice on how to address it, be sure to tune in today!What you’ll learn about in this episode:Why Dr. Simonds chose neurosurgery after an unexpected "epiphany" in his final month of medical schoolHow burnout manifests in high-pressure environments and why it often goes unrecognizedThe spectrum nature of burnout and how professionals cycle in and out of its worst componentsPractical strategies for building resilience, including the powerful "harvesting uplifts" techniqueHow COVID and cultural shifts have impacted healthcare professional wellbeingThe importance of finding meaning in difficult circumstances as an antidote to burnoutWhy role-playing and communication training are essential for healthcare providersHow patients and families can better navigate healthcare interactionsThe courage and grace Dr. Simonds witnessed in patients and families facing life's most difficult momentsHow creative expression, including storytelling, plays a vital role in personal renewalTranscript: HereAdditional Resources:Website: https://garyrsimonds.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-simonds-5b0225a/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garyrsimonds/X: https://twitter.com/garyrsimondsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/garyrsimondsLinks Mentioned:Building Resilience in Neurosurgical Residents: A PrimerThe Thriving Physician: How to Avoid Burnout by Choosing Resilience Throughout YourMedical Career

September 3, 2025Episode 35249 min

Episode 352: Best Of: Healing Childhood Trauma and Building Healthier Futures with Phyllis Leavitt

In this moving episode, Dr. Sharon Spano sits down with Phyllis Leavitt, a psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience helping individuals and families heal from trauma. Phyllis shares her personal journey of navigating childhood trauma and how it led her to a lifelong mission of guiding others toward healing and wholeness.She also discusses her book America in Therapy, where she explores how the dynamics of family trauma reflect the larger dysfunctions we see in society today. Phyllis makes the case that by addressing and healing trauma at the individual and family level, we can also begin to heal our communities and nation.This episode is both deeply personal and profoundly practical, offering insights for anyone interested in healing, leadership, and the future of human connection.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Phyllis’s personal story of growing up with trauma and finding healing through therapyHow childhood trauma impacts adult relationships and well-beingWhy unhealed family trauma often mirrors dysfunction in societyPractical tools for beginning the journey of trauma recoveryWhy self-awareness and compassion are essential for healingInsights from Phyllis’s book America in TherapyHow leaders can recognize and address trauma in their organizationsThe link between personal healing and creating healthier communitiesWhy talking about trauma is the first step toward transformationHow therapy offers both personal and societal hope for the futureTranscript: HereAdditional Resources:Website: https://phyllisleavitt.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhyllisLeavitt2LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phyllis-leavitt-630179255/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phyllisleavittbooks/America In Therapy: https://www.amazon.com/America-Therapy-Approach-Healing-Nation/dp/1636983367A Light In The Darkness: https://www.amazon.com/Light-Darkness-Phyllis-Leavitt-MA-ebook/dp/B013RTEEHU/Into The Fire: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Fire-Road-Home-2/dp/0998800007Sharon Spano:Website: sharonspano.comFacebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHDInstagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/Book: thetimemoneybook.comContact: sharon@sharonspano.comSubstack: substack.com/@drsharonThe Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/

August 27, 2025Episode 35159 min

Episode 351: Best Of: Healing from the Inside Out with Linn Rivers

In this Best Of conversation, Dr. Sharon Spano revisits her powerful discussion with Linn Rivers, a holistic healthcare practitioner who has dedicated her life to helping people reclaim their health—especially those with “last resort” cases.After growing up with chronic illness, overmedication, and losing loved ones far too early, Linn discovered a different path to healing—one that integrates functional medicine, the microbiome, and holistic practices. She also incorporates tools like NLP and human design to address not just physical health, but emotional and spiritual well-being.In our conversation, we discuss the pivotal role the microbiome plays in our overall health and why traditional, mainstream healthcare can sometimes do more harm than good. Linn breaks down how she tests and treats her patients’ microbiomes, the incredible results she has seen, and why our guts are so quick to react to the food we eat. She also explains why the microbiome is all about balance, the trillions of bacteria that populate our gut, and why prioritizing your health is of the utmost importance.If you’re curious about the mind-gut connection, how food can impact our overall health, or the microbiome in general, you’ll definitely want to tune in for today’s fascinating conversation!What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Linn’s personal journey through chronic illness and healingWhy gut health and the microbiome are foundational to long-term wellnessThe limitations of conventional medicine and where holistic care can fill the gapThe role of functional medicine, NLP, and human design in integrative healingWhy health is more than physical—it’s also emotional and spiritualHow to take ownership of your health journey in a way that empowers lasting changeA rundown of leaky gut and the impact it has on your system.The importance of taking a probiotic when you need to take antibiotics.Why Linn believes everyone should be taking probiotics.How our diets can affect the microbiome.Learning how to nourish your microbiome with a wide variety of healthy foods.How the microbiome impacts our hormones and why that is especially true for women.A breakdown of how the microbiome breaks down food and supports other organs.Some of the diseases that can be caused by a microbiome that is out of balance.The relationships between food, the microbiome, and our emotions.How treating the microbiome can help you uncover the root cause of your symptoms.The importance of prioritizing your health and why it’s worth financially investing in.Transcript: HereAdditional Resources:Linn Rivers:Photography and Video Website: https://linnrivers.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linnrivers/Links Mentioned:Pacific College of Health and Science: https://www.pacificcollege.edu/Sharon Spano:Website: sharonspano.comFacebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHDInstagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/Book: thetimemoneybook.comContact: sharon@sharonspano.comSubstack: substack.com/@drsharonThe Other Side of Potential Podcast:

August 20, 2025Episode 35056 min

Episode 350: Best Of: Combat-Tested Leadership with Navy SEAL Stephen Drum

To become a Navy SEAL you need to endure years of grueling training, and it is only a very small portion of those who start the process end up completing it. In this powerful “Best Of” episode, Dr. Sharon Spano revisits her conversation with Stephen Drum, a retired Navy SEAL Master Chief who served in combat zones around the world and now helps organizations build high-performance cultures.Stephen shares battle-tested lessons on courage, accountability, and resilience—and how the same principles that guide elite military teams can transform leadership in business and life. He discusses why preparation, trust, and communication are non-negotiables for success, and how leaders can create environments where people are inspired to give their best under pressure. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why elite military principles apply directly to business leadershipThe importance of training for critical moments before they arriveHow to build trust and accountability within your teamWhy clear communication under pressure saves lives—and improves results in businessHow leaders can foster resilience and adaptability in times of uncertaintyThe role of courage in both combat and the workplacePractical steps to prepare yourself and your team for high-stakes situationsWhy failure is part of growth and how to recover quickly when mistakes happenHow Stephen transitioned from Navy SEAL leadership to coaching corporate teamsLessons every leader can use to stay calm, focused, and mission-drivenAdditional Resources:Website: https://stephendrum.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-drum-643695135/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.drum.967Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephen.drum/?hl=enBook: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Meeting-Challenge-Confidence-Readiness/dp/B0BTGXNWNYTranscript: HereSharon Spano:Website: sharonspano.comFacebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHDInstagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/Book: thetimemoneybook.comContact: sharon@sharonspano.comSubstack: substack.com/@drsharonThe Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/

August 13, 2025Episode 34948 min

Episode 349: Best Of: Trauma, Growth, and Somatic Healing with Sunitha Sandeep

The stress of modern life can often bring on symptoms like depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. And while it can be tempting to seek out a quick fix, more often than not, these symptoms are our body’s way of asking for help. So how do we learn to listen to our bodies and embark on a healing journey amidst the demands of contemporary life?Joining us today is special guest Sunitha Sandeep, a TEDx speaker, trauma-informed transformative coach, and certified meditation and mindfulness teacher. In her work, Sunitha helps high-achieving women break free from their inner struggles of anxiety, overwhelm, burnout, and fears that they might have related to their professional success.Sunitha has a profound understanding of what it means to process trauma and has a special talent for communicating spiritual and psychological concepts in an accessible way that will leave you feeling inspired to undertake your own healing journey. Join us for a deep dive into the power of somatic healing, cultivating a spiritual practice, and learning how to listen to your body.What you’ll learn about in this episode:Get to know Sunitha Sandeep, her journey, and how it informs the work she does today.The concept of embodiment and elevating your consciousness to operate at multiple levels.An overview of somatic work, mindset, and letting go of belief systems.Your body’s coping mechanisms and how somatic healing helps you address them.Sunitha’s CURED technique for bringing up and healing suppressed emotions.How to bring spiritual practices into our contemporary lifestyles.Crisis points in our lives and how they can present an opportunity for growth and healing.Why symptoms like anxiety and depression are often your body’s way of asking for help.A breakdown of how Sunitha treats anxiety in herself and her clients.Choosing the right type of meditation practice and incorporating it into your daily life.Sunitha’s 90-day program, A.W.A.K.E, and how to access her work.Transcript: HereAdditional Resources:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sunithasandeep/Facebook: facebook.com/SunithaKSandeep/Sharon Spano:Website: sharonspano.comFacebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHDInstagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/

August 6, 2025Episode 34841 min

Episode 348 – Best Of: Steve Feldman on Redefining Family Support in Times of Crisis

In this powerful “Best Of” episode, Dr. Sharon Spano connects with Steve Feldman—CEO of Feinberg Consulting, interventionist, and person in long-term recovery—on the vital importance of family support during addiction, mental health, and complex medical crises.Steve shares his personal and professional journey from entrepreneurship to recovery advocate, and how he and his team are revolutionizing care navigation by treating not only the individual but the entire family system. His multidisciplinary team offers customized assessments, interventions, coaching, and ongoing support to help families recover—together.“Healing is possible, even in the most complex situations. The family isn’t a bystander—it’s the soil for transformation.” — Steve FeldmanWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why family support is essential, not optional, in the healing processThe difference between behavioral change and generational healingA behind-the-scenes look at how Feinberg Consulting creates individualized care pathwaysThe role of trauma in addiction and mental health—and how it can be healedWhy many systems fail families—and how a private, compassionate model can step inThe power of educating families to become allies in recoveryHow The Feinberg Hope Foundation supports underserved communitiesTranscript: HereResources & Contact:Website: www.feinbergcare.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-feldman-1a501825/Email: steve@feinbergcare.comPhone: (248) 538-5425Sharon Spano:Website: sharonspano.comFacebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHDInstagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/Book: thetimemoneybook.comContact: sharon@sharonspano.comSubstack: substack.com/@drsharonThe Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/

July 30, 2025Episode 34748 min

Episode 347: Best Of: Rewiring Mindset After Trauma—A Comeback Story with Dan MacQueen

In this powerful and inspiring "best of" episode, Dr. Sharon Spano talks with Dan MacQueen, a former tech implementation specialist whose life was turned upside down by a sudden, life-threatening brain hemorrhage. What followed was not only a fight for survival but a journey of radical transformation.Dan shares how he rebuilt his body, mind, and career—one step at a time—and how mindset played a key role in his recovery. Through discipline, gratitude, and goal-setting, Dan created a new life rooted in purpose, coaching others to rise from their own setbacks.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How a sudden brain hemorrhage led to Dan’s near-death experienceWhy small, consistent goals were the foundation of his physical and mental recoveryHow mindset and accountability fuel resilienceThe key role of gratitude in maintaining a healthy outlook during dark timesWhy Dan calls his health scare the “best thing that ever happened” to himThe connection between movement, momentum, and meaningHow Dan transitioned from marketing to public speaking and coachingStrategies for rebuilding confidence after trauma or life interruptionWhat it really means to “own your comeback”How you can transform personal setbacks into platforms for serviceTranscript: HereAdditional Resources:Website: macqueendan.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/macqueendanTwitter: @macqueendanInstagram: instagram.com/macqueendanSharon Spano:Website: sharonspano.comFacebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHDInstagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/Book: thetimemoneybook.comContact: sharon@sharonspano.comSubstack: substack.com/@drsharonThe Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/

July 23, 202547 min

Episode 346: Best Of: Turn Your Words into Wealth with Aurora Winter

In this episode, Dr. Sharon Spano speaks with Aurora Winter, a media coach, ghostwriter, and award-winning author of Turn Words into Wealth. Aurora shares her expertise on using storytelling, neuroscience, and communication strategies to help leaders, entrepreneurs, and family business owners amplify their influence, impact, and income. She introduces the Spoken Author Method, a breakthrough approach that helps clients write books and clarify their messaging through speaking rather than traditional writing.Aurora also explains the neuroscience behind effective communication and how leaders can structure their messaging to engage the brain’s three levels: the reptilian brain, social brain, and cerebral cortex.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why storytelling increases the value of products, services, and personal brands by up to 27 timesThe neuroscience of communication and how to engage your audience’s brain at every levelHow to craft a million-dollar message that attracts ideal clients and opportunitiesThe Spoken Author Method: how to write and publish a book by speaking instead of writingThe benefits of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing for business leadersHow a dentist client quadrupled their business using a book and messaging strategyTips on building know, like, and trust through personal stories and credibility markersHow a book serves as a legacy and a business growth toolThe seven proven business models to monetize a book beyond direct salesHow to leverage Amazon as the world’s third-largest search engine for experts and authorsTranscript: HereAdditional Resources:Website: aurorawinter.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aurorawinter/Same Page Publishing: https://samepagepublishing.com/Turn Words Into Wealth: https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Words-Into-Wealth-Blueprint-ebook/dp/B08VNMZDBNMarketing Fastrack: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Y7Y93HJ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1Sharon Spano:Website: sharonspano.comFacebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHDInstagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/Book: thetimemoneybook.comContact: sharon@sharonspano.comSubstack: substack.com/@drsharonThe Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/