Air-Check Your Life
Welcome to Air-Check You Life, formerly Learn from People who Lived it.
𝗔𝗶𝗿-𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲™ is a leadership and communication podcast grounded in real-life experience. Hosted by keynote speaker and communication strategist Mathew Blades, the show explores mental health, resilience, spiritual growth, and the leadership lessons that show up when life gets hard. Each episode features honest conversations with people who’ve lived it, turning stories into practical tools to use immediately. With decades in award-winning broadcasting and work alongside organizations like Kia, Durango Detention Center, ACMA, Panera Bread, and Willmeng Construction, Mathew brings clarity to complex conversations. If you care about stronger communication, emotional intelligence, and meaningful growth, jump in!
Find more at MathewBlades.com
Welcome to Air-Check You Life, formerly Learn from People who Lived it.
𝗔𝗶𝗿-𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲™ is a leadership and communication podcast grounded in real-life experience. Hosted by keynote speaker and communication strategist Mathew Blades, the show explores mental health, resilience, spiritual growth, and the leadership lessons that show up when life gets hard. Each episode features honest conversations with people who’ve lived it, turning stories into practical tools to use immediately. With decades in award-winning broadcasting and work alongside organizations like Kia, Durango Detention Center, ACMA, Panera Bread, and Willmeng Construction, Mathew brings clarity to complex conversations. If you care about stronger communication, emotional intelligence, and meaningful growth, jump in!
Find more at MathewBlades.com
Episodes

Jun 23, 2025
Jun 23, 2025
58 min
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Navigating Anxiety: Insights and Strategies with Dr. Friedemann Schaub
In this episode, you'll hear:
- Personal stories of growing up with anxious parents
- The impact of anxiety on self-esteem and self-worth
- How the subconscious mind influences anxiety
- Practical strategies for managing anxiety effectively
Join hosts Mathew Blades and Dr. David Leicken as they engage with Dr. Friedemann Schaub, author of "The Fear and Anxiety Solution" and "The Empowerment Solution." Dr. Schaub shares his journey of growing up with anxious parents who survived World War II, revealing how their fears shaped his own anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. He discusses the conditional self-esteem tied to accomplishments and the constant need for external validation.
The conversation delves into the subconscious mind's role in anxiety, using the iceberg analogy to illustrate how much of our mental processes occur below conscious awareness. Mathew Blades shares his experience with Transcendental Meditation, highlighting its benefits in slowing down racing thoughts and creating space for self-reflection.
Notable quotes:
- "I'm only conditionally loved. Only if I have good grades, I can have acceptance. If not, I'm doomed." - Dr. Friedemann Schaub
- "There's nothing that couldn't be fixed by going and sitting down in another room for a couple of hours, you know, and just getting quiet and figuring that piece out." - Mathew Blades
- "It's not about making big changes necessarily. It's about little things done consistently over a long period of time." - Dr. David Leicken
Explore the power of meditation, self-reflection, and the importance of small, consistent changes in overcoming anxiety. Discover how to harness the potential of the subconscious mind and develop self-respect and acceptance independent of achievements.
Visit us online, www.LearnFromPeopleWhoLivedIt.com
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)
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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Jun 16, 2025
Jun 16, 2025
1hr 11 min
Please take our new listener survey - four simple questions that will help me make a better podcast for you! Safe Survey Link
From Rock Bottom to Redemption: Lindsay Proulx's Journey Through Addiction and Recovery
In this powerful episode of "Learn from People who Lived It," host Mathew Blades and co-host Dr. Dave sit down with Lindsay Proulx, a former addict who's now seven years sober and working at New Freedom Project. Lindsay's story is a raw and honest account of her descent into addiction, her experiences with incarceration, and her inspiring path to recovery.
You'll hear:
• How childhood trauma and family dynamics can contribute to addiction
• The harsh realities of jail and prison for those battling substance abuse
• The pivotal role of faith and support systems in the recovery process
• Practical strategies for forgiveness and healing from past traumas
Lindsay shares deeply personal moments, from using drugs with her mother to her first terrifying night in jail. She recounts the turning point in her life when she realized she was "created for greatness" and how this shift in perspective changed everything.
Dr. Dave offers expert insights throughout, explaining the psychological aspects of addiction, recovery, and forgiveness. He emphasizes the importance of daily decisions that reflect self-value, providing listeners with actionable advice for their own journeys.
This episode doesn't shy away from the dark realities of addiction but ultimately delivers a message of hope and transformation. Lindsay's story proves that no matter how far you've fallen, redemption is possible.
"Forgiveness first. For forgiveness, I had to forgive myself before I could forgive anybody else." - Lindsay Proulx
Whether you're struggling with addiction, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking inspiration, this conversation offers valuable insights into the human capacity for change and the power of second chances.

Jun 16, 2025
Jun 16, 2025
1hr 26 min
Please take our new listener survey - four simple questions that will help me make a better podcast for you! Safe Survey Link
Breaking the Cycle: From Incarceration to Inspiration with Cordero Holmes, recorded live from the New Freedom Project, learn more about them here.
In this powerful episode, Mathew Blades and Dr. Dave sit down with Cordero Holmes, who transformed his life from behind bars to become a beacon of hope and change. Cordero's journey from incarceration to earning multiple degrees is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the power of education. He is the transitional character we talk about all the time.
You'll hear:
• How Cordero became a "transitional character," breaking cycles of dysfunction
• The unexpected gifts of solitary confinement and deep self-reflection
• Strategies for making amends and rebuilding relationships after incarceration
• The crucial role of community service in personal growth and healing
Cordero Holmes, now an advocate and educator, shares raw and honest insights about his past, his transformation, and his mission to create a better future for his children and community. His story challenges us to reconsider our preconceptions about those who've been incarcerated and inspires hope for second chances.
"No history, no self. Know history, know self." - Cordero Holmes
From the depths of isolation to the heights of academic achievement, Cordero's journey reminds us that it's never too late to change your life's trajectory. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration, understanding the power of education, or looking to make a positive change in their life or community.
Find Cordero here.

Jun 13, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
5 min
Breaking Free: Transformative Stories from the New Freedom Project
This Monday, Mathew Blades brings us face-to-face with the raw reality of addiction, incarceration, and the journey to redemption. Through intimate conversations with Lindsey Proulx and Cordero Holmes, we explore the depths of human struggle and the heights of personal transformation.
You'll hear:
• Lindsey's harrowing tale of addiction-fueled crime and her path to forgiveness
• Cordero's pivotal moment of mentorship in county jail, inspired by an unlikely source
• How the New Freedom Project is changing lives and breaking cycles of addiction
These stories of struggle, hope, and redemption offer a rare glimpse into the transformative power of second chances. As Mathew puts it, "I can't even begin to tell you how incredible both nights were and you will be able to experience them with me."
Join us for an unforgettable journey into the heart of human resilience and the life-changing work of the New Freedom Project this Monday.







