Make It a Great One with Dr. Dan: #1 Podcast for Inspiring Conversations to Live and Lead On Purpose

Break the Performance Trap: Purpose, Presence, and Becoming with Thomas Blottenberger

In this provocative and reflective episode, Dr. Dan interviews transformational coach Thomas Blottenberger [https://go.theriskrewardagency.com/welcome] about purpose, self-awareness, and what it means to grow from the inside out. Together, they explore how culturally inherited narratives, survival-based programming, emotional numbness, and the performance trap silently shape our lives — and how to break free. Thomas shares the story of his own awakening, describing the internal disintegration that precedes meaningful change. He discusses the courage required to face long-standing patterns and the liberation that comes from choosing curiosity over shame. Through exploring themes of authenticity, leadership, emotional mastery, presence, and empowerment, this episode challenges listeners to rethink the stories they tell themselves and reconnect with who they really are. In addition, Dr. Dan and Thomas dive into the myths of work-life balance, the power of presence, why optimizing the external never creates lasting fulfillment, and how the process of becoming requires patience, compassion, and reflection. They explore how our earliest experiences shape adult behaviors, how men often externalize their power, and why transformation requires slowing down rather than “fixing.” This conversation is an invitation to wake up, sit in awareness, release old narratives, and consciously choose a life aligned with your purpose, integrity, and deepest values. For more information, visit The Risk Reward Agency [https://go.theriskrewardagency.com/welcome]and follow @mr.blottenberger [https://www.instagram.com/mr.blottenberger]  on Instagram. Please listen, follow, rate, and review Make It a Great One on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow @drdanpeters on social media. Visit www.drdanpeters.com [http://www.drdanpeters.com/] and send your questions or guest pitches to podcast@drdanpeters.com [podcast@drdanpeters.com]. We have this moment, this day, and this life—let’s make it a great one. – Dr. Dan #Purpose #Growth #SelfAwareness #Resilience #Mindset #Leadership #Authenticity #Inspiration #EmotionalMastery #Courage #Connection #Wellness #Transformation #Compassion #Empowerment #MensWork #Presence #Becoming #MakeItAGreatOne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Bad Bosses, Boundaries, and Burnout: What We Can Learn From Toxic Bosses with Mita Mallick

Dr. Dan continues his Make It a Great One in 2026 kick-off by interviewing author and advocate Mita Mallick to explore the real impact that leadership has on mental health, identity, and workplace well-being. Drawing from her bestselling books Reimagine Inclusion [https://www.amazon.com/Reimagine-Inclusion-Debunking-Transform-Workplace/dp/1394177097] and The Devil Emails at Midnight [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394316488], Mita shares personal stories of toxic leadership, bullying, grief, and growth, while challenging leaders to confront their own behaviors with honesty and compassion. Together, Dr. Dan and Mita unpack why bad bosses aren’t born but made—and how self-awareness, empathy, and accountability can transform workplaces into environments where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to do their best work.  This episode invites listeners to reflect on the profound effect leaders have on mental health and well-being – and the importance of self-care, reflection, and emotional intelligence in all aspects of our lives. For more information visit www.mitamallick.com and follow @mita_mallick13 [https://www.instagram.com/mita_mallick13/#] on Instagram. Please listen, follow, rate, and review Make It a Great One on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow @drdanpeters on social media. Visit www.drdanpeters.com [http://www.drdanpeters.com/] and send your questions or guest pitches to podcast@drdanpeters.com [podcast@drdanpeters.com]. We have this moment, this day, and this life—let’s make it a great one. – Dr. Dan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

From Enemies to Understanding: Healing Division Through Human Connection with Larry Rosen

Welcome to 2026 and all new episodes of Make It a Great One!  Today, Dr. Dan sits down with Larry Rosen [https://www.enemiesproject.org/ourteam], creator of The Enemies Project, [https://www.enemiesproject.org/] to explore why conflict has become so entrenched in our culture—and how genuine listening can begin to heal it. During his conversation with Dr. Dan, Larry shares his personal journey from law to mediation to ultimately creating a global project that brings people labeled as “enemies” into the same room for honest, day-long conversations. Drawing from psychology, neuroscience, and decades of experience working with people in deep conflict, Larry Rosen explains why arguments fail, empathy shuts down under threat, and how understanding—not persuasion—is the fastest path to transformation. Together, Dr. Dan and Larry unpack the mechanisms behind polarization, the role of fear and perceived threat, and how “enemy-making” erodes our ability to cooperate as families, communities, and societies. Through stories from The Enemies Project, they reveal how people with radically opposing views often share the same core motivations: safety, belonging, love, and meaning. This episode is a compelling exploration of leadership, courage, compassion, and what it truly means to really see the humanity in others—even when it feels impossible. As a new year unfolds, Dr. Dan and Larry encourage listeners to reflect on this episode and these words from The Enemies Project: [https://www.enemiesproject.org/about] “We bring people together—not to debate, but to come face-to-face. Not to argue, but to understand. Not to compromise their values—but to reclaim something deeper: the capacity to recognize each other as fellow citizens, fellow humans, insightful, valuable, real.” For more information www.enemiesproject.org [https://www.enemiesproject.org/] visit @theenemiesproject [https://www.instagram.com/theenemiesproject/] on Instagram. Please listen, follow, rate, and review Make It a Great One on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow @drdanpeters on social media. Visit www.drdanpeters.com [http://www.drdanpeters.com/] and send your questions or guest pitches to podcast@drdanpeters.com [podcast@drdanpeters.com]. We have this moment, this day, and this life—let’s make it a great one. – Dr. Dan #Purpose #Growth #SelfAwareness #Inspiration #Resilience #Courage #Mindset #Leadership #Compassion #Connection #Authenticity #Empathy #Wellness #ConflictResolution #HumanConnection #TheEnemiesProject #MakeItAGreatOne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

The Secret Language of Your Body: Self-Awareness, Resilience and the Path to Authentic Healing with Inna Segal

In this inspiring and illuminating conversation, Dr. Dan sits down with Inna Segal, [https://www.innasegal.com/] bestselling author of The Secret Language of Your Body, [https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Language-Your-Body-Essential/dp/1582702608] to explore how pain, trauma, and emotional overwhelm can become powerful gateways to healing, self-awareness, and inner freedom. Inna shares her extraordinary personal journey from debilitating chronic illness and profound grief to discovering her intuitive healing abilities — and dedicating her life to helping others reconnect with the wisdom of their bodies. Dr. Dan and Inna break down why the body is never the enemy, how slowing down is the first essential step toward wellness, and why meaningful healing requires curiosity, courage, compassion, and patience. Inna explains how unresolved childhood wounds, ancestral trauma, and unprocessed emotions can shape our physical and emotional experiences — and how simple daily practices can begin to restore balance, empowerment, and alignment. Listeners will learn how to tune into the body’s signals, use breath and attention to shift internal states, embrace personal growth without overwhelming themselves, and understand healing as a lifelong journey toward authenticity, connection, and wholeness. If you’re seeking hope, clarity, or a renewed sense of purpose along your wellness path, this episode offers profound insights and practical tools to help you begin or continue your transformation. For more information, visit innasegal.com [http://innasegal.com] and follow @innasegalauthor on Instagram. Please listen, follow, rate, and review Make It a Great One on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow @drdanpeters on social media. Visit www.drdanpeters.com [http://www.drdanpeters.com/] and send your questions or guest pitches to podcast@drdanpeters.com [podcast@drdanpeters.com]. We have this moment, this day, and this life—let’s make it a great one. – Dr. Dan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Becoming Better: How Vertical Development Transforms Leadership, Purpose, and Personal Growth with Dr. Ryan Gottfredson

Dr. Dan sits down with leadership researcher, author, and mindset expert Dr. Ryan Gottfredson [https://ryangottfredson.com/]to explore what it truly means to become better—better leaders, parents, partners, and human beings. Drawing from his groundbreaking work on vertical development, Ryan reveals why most of us are overdeveloped in “doing” and underdeveloped in “being,” and how this imbalance limits our growth, purpose, and connection in every part of life.  During this powerful and deeply human conversation with Dr. Dan, Ryan shares personal stories of emotional neglect, independence, healing, and the courageous work of rewriting one’s internal operating system. Dr. Ryan and Dr. Dan dive into the profound relationship between self-awareness, compassion, resilience, and authentic leadership and why healing isn’t a soft concept, but a neurological upgrade that changes how we respond to stress, relationships, and opportunity. Listeners will learn the difference between horizontal development (knowledge, skills, and doing) and vertical development (mindsets, presence, and being), and why the most effective leaders elevate through intentional inner work.  This episode is for anyone seeking deeper purpose, greater self-awareness, healthier relationships, and a more grounded, empowered approach to leadership. Whether you’re guiding a team, raising a family, or navigating your own personal evolution, today’s episode offers inspiration, clarity, and transformative possibility. Take Ryan’s free assessments, explore his books (including Becoming Better), and access additional tools at. For more information, visit ryangottfredson.com [http://ryangottfredson.com] and follow @ryangottfredson  on Instagram. Please listen, follow, rate, and review Make It a Great One on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow @drdanpeters on social media. Visit www.drdanpeters.com [http://www.drdanpeters.com/] and send your questions or guest pitches to podcast@drdanpeters.com [podcast@drdanpeters.com]. We have this moment, this day, and this life—let’s make it a great one. – Dr. Dan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]