The Optimized Mind

• Cultivating Resilience and Community with Mackenzie Dunham

  In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by the founder of Wild Heart Society, Mackenzie Dunham. The discussion focuses on the challenges transgender kids and their families face, the power of parental support, and the tools Mackenzie uses to promote resilience and connection. The episode wraps with practical advice for all of us: lead with curiosity, challenge misinformation, and always accept and affirm kids for who they are.Founded in 2019 by Mackenzie Dunham, Wild Heart Society has grown to include over 25 compassionate professionals who are dedicated to providing therapy that is grounded in trust and connection. Our expertise includes LGBTQ+ care, family therapy, and child-centered approaches. We’re here to help you find the therapist (and therapy style) that fits you best. Inspired by Brene Brown’s powerful work, Wild Heart Society is a collective of licensed therapists, interns, and support staff who center their work around creativity, courage, and connection. Wild Heart Society specializes in counseling for youth, families, and individuals of all ages and identities. We help you navigate challenges, affirm your identities, and build stronger, more meaningful relationships—both with yourself and the people you love. To Learn More, visit:www.katelundspeaks.comListen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund

  --------  

  25:11

  --------

  25:11
• Understanding with Martina Faulkner

  In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Martina Faulker, a cross-genre author whose work focuses primarily on what it means to be human. Through this powerful episode, Dr. Kate and Martina deep dive into the heart of Martina’s writing process, the themes that underpin the Understanding Series, and the powerful insights she’s gathered along the way. This episode is a masterclass in getting back to basics, building self-connection, and using practical self-help tools to recalibrate and reset your life.Martina E. Faulkner is a cross-genre author whose work focuses primarily on exploring what it means to be human—both the unique and the universal. She holds a trifecta in the mental health/healing world as a therapist, certified life coach, and Reiki Master Teacher. This distinctive background allows her to draw on her professional and personal experience in her writing, whether fiction, nonfiction, children’s, or poetry.A self-proclaimed Anglophile, Martina drinks tea daily, loves walks in nature, and enjoys looking at beautiful images from the British Isles while dreaming up her next book. You can read her regular column (‘Unique and Universal’) on Substack, follow her on Instagram and Facebook @martinaefaulkner, or visit martinaefaulkner.com to learn more.To Learn More, visit:www.katelundspeaks.comListen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund

  --------  

  59:21

  --------

  59:21
• The Courage to Pivot with Dr. Carla Fowler

  In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by elite executive coach Carla Fowler, MD, Ph.D. For the last decade, she has been a secret weapon for scores of CEOs, entrepreneurs, and other senior leaders. Dr. Fowler's unique approach combines the latest research from performance science with timeless best practices to help top performers level up and achieve their goals.Carla Fowler, MD PhD founded THAXA out of a passion for performance science, where the fields of strategy, productivity, and psychology intersect. Since its inception in 2013, THAXA’s scientific approach to individualized coaching has attracted a devoted client base of dozens of executives at firms ranging from Fortune 500 technology companies to venture-backed startups to innovative nonprofits.Carla’s coaching methods draw upon the multidisciplinary field of performance science to generate the best ideas surrounding strategy, execution, and mindset to assist leaders in their endeavors. Over the past 10 years, she has distilled the key principles of performance into understandable concepts and a method that helps leaders incorporate these ideas into their day-to-day performance, helping them go faster and improving their results. Outside of her coaching, Carla truly enjoys sharing her key performance principles with audiences while engaging in thought-provoking conversations surrounding her passion for performance science.Carla graduated from Brown University magna cum laude, earned her MD and PhD at the University of Washington, and completed her internship in general surgery at Stanford University.To learn more about Carla, please visit:www.thaxa.comlinkedin.com/in/carla-fowlerx.com/DrCarlaFowlerTo Learn More, visit:www.katelundspeaks.comListen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund

  --------  

  40:39

  --------

  40:39
• A Story of Resilience with Reah Hagues

  In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by author and coach Reah Hagues. Reah shares her remarkable story of becoming a mother at 14 and the transformative journey that led her to holistic mental health, Christian studies, and life coaching. Drawing from her own experiences, education, and passion, Raya discusses her workbooks, coaching style, and unique perspective on parenting and resilience.Reah (pronounced Ray-uh) is a devoted wife, proud mother of five young adults, and a loving pet owner. A native of North Carolina, she wears many hats—author, entrepreneur, community activist, and passionate advocate for equality. With multiple professional degrees in Christian Studies, Psychology, Life Coaching, and Holistic Mental Health & Wellness Counseling (with a focus on family dynamics), Reah combines academic expertise with lived experience to inspire and empower others. She is the founder of Falolity, LLC and co-owner of Linda’s Cleaning Crew, bringing both vision and dedication to her business ventures. Whether she’s leading in the community, guiding families toward healthier relationships, or championing equality, Reah’s mission is rooted in faith, compassion, and resilience.To Learn More, visit:www.katelundspeaks.comListen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund

  --------  

  27:21

  --------

  27:21
• From Hustle to Calm with Roberta Ravella

  In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate is joined by Roberta Ravella, Founder of the Joy Experiment. The discussion focuses on the transformative journey from hustle and force to building a life and business rooted in joy, ease, and feminine energy.Roberta Gill Ravella is the visionary behind The Joy Experiment—a transformative framework designed to help women step out of struggle and into a life and business filled with joy, ease, and flow. Drawing from her decades of experience in sales, marketing, entrepreneurship, and personal development, Roberta helps clients rewrite the rules of success by leading with alignment, worthiness, and purpose.After years of chasing achievement through hustle and burnout, Roberta asked a powerful question: What if success didn’t have to be so hard? That question sparked the creation of The Joy Experiment, a values-based coaching approach that guides women to reconnect with their core, simplify their path to growth, and build success that feels just as good as it looks.Roberta works with purpose-driven women entrepreneurs, creatives, and leaders who are ready to replace self-doubt with self-trust, confusion with clarity, and pressure with peace. Her message is a refreshing antidote to hustle culture—and a rallying cry for those seeking a more intentional, fulfilling way to grow. When she’s not coaching or speaking, you’ll find Roberta exploring the mindset shifts that turn burnout into balance and teaching others how to lead with joy, not just chase it.To Learn More, visit:www.katelundspeaks.comListen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund

  --------  

  23:06

  --------

  23:06

More Education podcasts

Trending Education podcasts

About The Optimized Mind