What if your self-doubt, procrastination, or craving for validation isn’t a flaw—but a survival mechanism wired into your brain?

In Episode 26 of *The Mindful Hustle*, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Loretta Breuning Ph.D.—founder of the Inner Mammal Institute and author of *Habits of a Happy Brain*. This conversation blew me away. Loretta breaks down the *real* science behind the emotional rollercoasters we ride daily—and reveals how we can actually retrain our brains to feel good, grounded, and in control.

We dive deep into how our limbic brain is still wired for a tribal, scarcity-based world, where everything from social comparison to fear-based leadership once served a purpose. But in today’s world, those ancient habits are keeping us anxious, overworked, and disconnected from joy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The 4 key “happy chemicals” and how to build habits that activate them

How your brain’s *inner mammal* is sabotaging your growth (and how to tame it)

Why “bad” feelings like jealousy or anxiety are normal—and how to move through them

The myth of constantly feeling good—and what true emotional management looks like

Real, practical tools to rewire your thought patterns and reclaim your peace

Loretta’s wisdom is science-backed, refreshingly honest, and filled with “aha” moments that will help you understand *why* you do what you do—and how to change it.

If you're a conscious entrepreneur, coach, or high performer constantly striving for more—but secretly burning out or battling imposter syndrome—this episode is your roadmap to sustainable emotional freedom.

Her approach isn’t about “positive vibes only.” It’s about understanding the primitive brain you’re working with so you can stop judging yourself and start building better, soul-aligned habits.

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In Episode 25 of The Mindful Hustle, I sit down with Sean Atkinson—a high-level cybersecurity executive, spiritual thinker, and host of CISO Tradecraft—for a conversation that’s as grounded as it is transcendent.

Sean’s professional resume is impressive, but what truly moved me was his willingness to strip back the armor and speak honestly about identity, childhood conditioning, and what it really takes to walk in your truth. From growing up in a Jamaican household with strict expectations to redefining masculinity through the lens of God’s love, Sean brings a rawness and depth that you don’t often hear from men in tech.

We explore:
🔐 How cybersecurity mirrored his emotional need to “protect and defend”
💥 The moment success stopped feeling like alignment
🙏 How prayer and faith opened him up to softness, surrender, and strength
👤 The work of detaching from titles and reclaiming true identity
💡 Why “the real you” is found in moments of stillness, not performance

This episode is for anyone who’s ever asked: Who am I beneath all these layers I had to wear to survive? It’s for the high-achiever who feels a quiet longing for more. And it’s for the soul who knows God is calling them deeper—but doesn’t yet know how to let go.

Sean reminds us that spiritual mastery isn’t about escaping your reality—it’s about integrating your divine truth into every room you walk into. His journey is a powerful mirror for so many of us who are redefining success on our own terms.

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In this deeply introspective and soul-nourishing episode, we sit down with Daina Hughes, a soul coach, energy healer, and co-author of Ask & Tell: Spiritual Conversations That Ignite Growth. Daina opens up about the heartbreak that catalyzed her spiritual awakening—the tragic loss of her best friend at 18—and how that grief cracked open a deeper search for truth, identity, and healing.

We explore Daina’s transformative journey from skepticism toward spirituality to becoming a respected soul coach with Angelic Healing, a practice founded by her father. Through honest reflection, Daina shares how her healing path led her to challenge societal expectations, redefine success, and lean into intuitive living guided by feelings—not formulas.

She also reveals how her work as a coach is less about telling people what to do, and more about helping them remember who they are, while building the courage to live fully from that truth—even if it means losing relationships along the way.

Expect rich insights on:
💫 What it really means to “meet yourself”
📖 The intention behind her powerful co-authored book
🔥 Why healing can’t be one-size-fits-all
❤️ How grief and growth can coexist
🌿 Why the feeling behind the goal matters more than the outcome

If you're navigating your own identity shift, spiritual growth, or trying to reconnect with your authentic self—this episode will move you. Daina’s presence is gentle but potent, and her words will remind you that how your life looks is fleeting—but how it feels is where your truth lives.

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