Overcoming Challenges: Arias Webster Berry - Middle Age Mess, Episode 46

My First Sober Year: Julie Fontes - Middle Age Mess, Episode 48

Julie Fontes got tired of drinking one day so she just decided to stop. No programs, no rehab, just "uh yeah, I'll have a Diet Coke from now on." What do you do when you've taken what should be a minor behavioral modification and watched your entire community lose their minds over it? You write a book, of course. "Like A Normal Person" is Julie's debut novel where she describes a normal year of not drinking in a world that doesn't think that's so normal.

No One Has Ever Survived This: Amira Nystrom - Middle Age Mess, Episode 47

Amira Nystrom is literally a miracle. At 21yo, she went into brain surgery being told by her doctor that nobody had ever survived that particular procedure. Her chances of making it through the surgery and NOT becoming a vegetable were less than 1%. Of course, she made it. She then seemingly cured her chronic Crohn's Disease by simply deciding she didn't want it anymore and living her life in that manner. Then, without qualifications, experience or training, she started an Epic Adventure business and a hypnotherapy practice which are both thriving more than a decade later. On second thought, she's either a miracle or from another planet. Regardless, check out the latest episode of Middle Age Mess or find Amira at www.epicmauihikes.com.

Overcoming Challenges: Arias Webster Berry - Middle Age Mess, Episode 46

Arias Webster Berry did not exactly grow up on the mean streets since he spent much of his childhood in San Diego, California; however, to do so when both parents are incarcerated for a good portion of your youth ain't so easy. He managed to get through, mending ties with both parents over time and then migrated into the music business producing events with such stars as Janelle Monae, Ludacris and Common before starting his own multi-million dollar marketing company which continues to expand throughout the country.

The World's Great Podcast Guest: Nicky Billou - Middle Age Mess, Episode 45

Nicky Billou advertises himself as the World's Greatest Podcast Guest. While you could say I was "somewhat" skeptical, you know what?, he just might be. Nicky grew up in Iran, persecuted as a Christian, before his family moved to Canada. After experiencing prejudice due to his background (although let's be honest, these were Canadians so they were probably super nice about it), Nicky embarked on a successful corporate career before founding a company and writing best-selling books on Thought Leadership and Business Consulting. We talked for about 40 minutes and never even got to his business as his fascinating background and stories were too interesting to pass up. Check him out at www.thethoughtleaderrevolution.com

An Author By Accident: Jim Flynn - Middle Age Mess, Episode 44

Jim Flynn thought being old was gonna be tough, even before he had brain surgery. Then he stumbled onto Jeopardy, blew the game on the final question, wrote 8 books, discovered his lifelong passion and, what d'ya know, senior citizendom turned out not to be so bad after all. Jim reflects back on a crazy journey from humdrum corporate careerist to 8-time novelist, which all started when he decided to write an article about his brief stint on the legendary daytime game show, Jeopardy, and his run-in with Alex Trebeck.