Learn From People Who Lived it
Navigating painful life circumstances would be easier if they came with a how-to guide. This podcast writes the book! Our show is all about transformation. Mathew Blades, a seasoned radio and television personality, uses his exceptional interview skills to guide individuals in sharing their challenging stories. With the support of our in-house psychologist and psychiatrist, we explore the patterns and strategies that enabled these individuals to transform their lives from a difficult phase to a thriving one.
Episodes

Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
A micro-dose investment in you - Improving Health (part 5)
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
The session emphasizes health as the foundation for ending generational dysfunction, highlighting mindset shifts (e.g., epigenetics, bodily perfection affirmations), actionable steps (diet, sleep, community), and the role of being a 'transitional character' to positively impact future generations.
In this episode you'll hear:
Health is foundational to ending generational dysfunction and requires proactive care.
Mindset shifts (e.g., affirming bodily perfection, epigenetics) can influence physical health, supported by examples like meditation curing ailments.
Professional guidance (e.g., Dr. Robert Todd Hurst) and actionable steps (diet, sleep, community) are critical for health improvement.
Cortney McDermott, a returning guest and a beloved voice on the show, is an international speaker and TED Talk presenter, Cortney is also a bestselling author. Her latest book, Give Yourself Permission: Be Confident. Be Happy. Be You., is out now.

Monday Apr 14, 2025
A micro-dose investment in you - Spirituality (part 4)
Monday Apr 14, 2025
Monday Apr 14, 2025
In this episode we explore spirituality as innate intelligence governing biological processes and universal order. Demonstrated inner voice awareness through 'silent happiness' exercises.
In this episode, you'll hear:
Spirituality is framed as an innate intelligence governing biological processes and universal order, emphasizing its non-religious, non-dogmatic nature.
Demonstration of inner voice awareness through the 'silent happiness' exercise highlights the distinction between conscious thought and pure awareness.
Emphasis on being the observer of mental chatter rather than identifying with it, aligning with core principles of major spiritual traditions.
Discussion of quantum potentiality and attention's role in manifesting realities through reticular activation system principles.
Cortney McDermott, a returning guest and a beloved voice on the show, is an international speaker and TED Talk presenter, Cortney is also a bestselling author. Her latest book, Give Yourself Permission: Be Confident. Be Happy. Be You., is out now.

Monday Apr 14, 2025
Monday Apr 14, 2025
The Unexpected Gift of Trauma: Finding Growth After Pain with Dr. Edith Shiro
In this episode, you'll hear:
Practical steps to move from trauma to post-traumatic growth
Tips for identifying a support group that truly aids your healing journey
How generational trauma is passed down through genetics and the power you have to break the cycle
Dr. Edith Shiro is a highly respected clinical psychologist, author, and speaker specializing in trauma and post-traumatic growth. She co-founded the Trauma and Resilience Center in Miami, Florida, and is the author of The Unexpected Gift of Trauma: The Path to Post-Traumatic Growth. As the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor and a Syrian refugee, Dr. Shiro's personal history deeply informs her work, inspiring her mission to help individuals break cycles of generational trauma. Growing up as a Jewish woman in Venezuela before immigrating to the U.S. to pursue her education and career, she embodies resilience and transformation.
In this episode, Mathew, Dr. Dave Leicken, and Dr. Edith Shiro dive into the complex and deeply personal topic of generational trauma, exploring how it is not only passed down through learned behaviors but is embedded in our genetics. Dr. Shiro shares the stages needed to get to post-traumatic growth, starting with radical acceptance of one's experiences. They explore the idea that trauma, though painful, can hold unexpected gifts. The conversation sheds light on the inevitability of trauma as part of the human experience, how its impact is deeply subjective, and what it takes to shift from suffering to growth. They also discuss the importance of timing, knowing when you’re truly ready to heal, and the difference between letting go and not caring. Finally, they address the critical role of support, distinguishing between helpful and harmful support groups and how to recognize if the people you turn to are aiding your healing or keeping you stuck in pain.
“Let’s understand what trauma is…Anything that can happen to you that shakes or shatters your belief system about yourself, about the other, about the world, for which you don’t have tools or you don’t have resources to deal with.” -Dr. Shiro
“Time is a myth because you can’t say ‘Time heals all’. It’s what you do with time.” - Dr. Shiro
“Yes we get passed on traumas, but we also get passed on treasures, and we also get passed on wisdom.” -Dr. Shiro
Follow the podcast:
Listen on Apple Podcasts (link: https://apple.co/3s1YH7h)
Listen on iHeart (link: https://ihr.fm/3MEY7FM)
Listen on Spotify (Link: https://spoti.fi/3yMmQCE)
Resources:
The Unexpected Gift of Trauma: The Path to Posttraumatic Growth By Dr. Edith Shiro
Dr. Edith Shiro’s Website
Dr. Dave Leicken
Connect with Mathew Blades:
Twitter - twitter.com/MathewBlades
Instagram - instagram.com/MathewBladesmedia/
Facebook - facebook.com/mathewbladesmedia/
Website - learnfrompeoplewholivedit.com/
Additional Credits:
LFPWLI is managed by IMS LLC
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Sunday Apr 13, 2025
A micro-dose investment in you - transitional character (part 3)
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
Explores the concept of transitional characters as agents of generational change, using Mathew's career shift and health improvements as case studies. Highlights actionable strategies like confronting avoidance patterns, embracing a 'main character' mentality, and leveraging mind-body connections through psychosomatic examples.
In this episode you'll hear:
Definition of a transitional character. Someone who breaks generational dysfunction and shifts their family/community to higher ground.
Uses Mathew's career change and resolution of chronic back pain as case studies for transitional character energy in action
Discusses mind-body connection through examples of eczema resolution and psychosomatic health improvements
Provides actionable steps: confronting difficult conversations (Mathew's mother example), addressing avoidance patterns, embracing 'main character' mentality
Cortney McDermott, a returning guest and a beloved voice on the show, is an international speaker and TED Talk presenter, Cortney is also a bestselling author. Her latest book, Give Yourself Permission: Be Confident. Be Happy. Be You., is out now.
Next up: Spirituality







