Doug Bolton, PhD: Navigating Emotional Regulation, Parenting, Divorce, and the Journey to Healing
Release Date: 05/12/2025
#278: Ben Johnson — Building Teams, Products, and the Future of Tech
MIKE'D UP!
This week, Mike is joined by , CEO and Founder of , for a sharp, energizing look at what it really takes to lead in today’s tech world. With more than 20 years of software experience and over $30 million raised across five startups, Ben brings the hard-earned lessons only a seasoned builder can offer. Ben breaks down the traits of effective tech leadership—setting a clear vision, empowering teams, and avoiding micromanagement. He shares candid stories from his early days as a founder, including a memorable misunderstanding of “burn rate.” He explains why learning to speak the...
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#277: Laura G. Patac — Whole, Not Perfect: Reinventing and Reclaiming Yourself
MIKE'D UP!
In this powerful episode, Mike welcomes back —author, storyteller, and transformation strategist—to explore the ideas behind her latest book, Through honest conversation and deep insights, Laura reveals why reinvention isn’t a destination but a lived journey shaped by every experience, every pivot, and every scar earned along the way. Together, Mike and Laura unpack the beauty of our personal origin stories and the quiet, unseen moments that shape who we become. Laura invites listeners to look beyond the myth of perfection and instead embrace the raw, unfiltered truth of their...
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#276: Connor Steinbrook — 4X World Series of Poker Champion Builds a Real Estate Empire
MIKE'D UP!
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#275: Jay Sapovits — Recovery, Redemption & Reigniting Success with the Founder of Ink'd Stores
MIKE'D UP!
This week, Mike sits down with , the founder and President of , a thriving $5 million e-commerce company that powers over 1,000 online swag stores for brands like DoorDash, Crocs, and Penn Entertainment. Jay opens up about his turbulent journey—from explosive early success and devastating loss to rebuilding his life and business from the ground up. The conversation explores Jay’s struggle with gambling addiction, the painful collapse of his first ventures, and how entering recovery became the foundation for lasting personal and professional transformation. He shares how humility,...
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#274: Jane Hanson— From Emmy-Winning Journalism to Empowering Your Voice in Business
MIKE'D UP!
This week, Mike sits down with , an Emmy-winning journalist who spent nearly three decades at NBC New York. From her humble beginnings in a small Minnesota town to becoming a prominent voice in television journalism, Jane reflects on a career filled with powerful storytelling, resilience, and transformation. Jane opens up about covering pivotal events like 9/11, the emotional weight of live reporting, and the moment she realized it was time to pivot from broadcasting to coaching. Today, she empowers entrepreneurs, executives, and women to master the art of authentic...
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#273: Kurt Avery — How One Mission Has Transformed 30 Million Lives in 80+ Countries
MIKE'D UP!
In this moving and eye-opening conversation, Mike sits down with Kurt Avery, the visionary founder and president of , to explore how one man’s faith, resilience, and entrepreneurial drive sparked a movement that’s transforming global health. After leaving the corporate comfort of Fortune 500 marketing, Kurt took a leap of faith to create a company focused on a single, world-changing mission—to provide safe, clean water to every person who needs it. In this episode, we journey through the challenges and triumphs that shaped Sawyer’s path—from early financial hardships and failed...
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#272: Why NOW is the BEST TIME to START your BUSINESS PODCAST
MIKE'D UP!
This week, Mike fires up entrepreneurs and business leaders who have been saying, “someday I’ll start my podcast.” Mike reveals why Q4 is the golden window to plan and launch your show before everyone else even starts thinking about it. He breaks down the strategic advantage of starting now, how to structure your episodes, line up guests, and create content that truly represents your brand, values, and voice. Mike also dives into the bigger picture: a podcast isn’t only a marketing tool — it’s a relationship engine that builds credibility, expands your network, and creates...
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#271: Graham Kuhn — Founder of Focus Films on Building Brands Through Authentic Storytelling
MIKE'D UP!
This week, Mike steps “behind the scenes” with , the creative force behind , whose life reads like a screenplay of transformation, grit, and passion. From the wrestling mats of small-town Wisconsin to the world’s grand opera stages — and ultimately to the helm of his own film company — Graham’s story proves that the path to success is rarely a straight line. When the pandemic hit days after launching his business, Graham faced what felt like the final curtain. Contracts vanished, plans unraveled — but instead of tapping out, he rewrote the script. Drawing on the resilience...
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#270: Gail Jones — Beyond a Statistic: Real Stories of Teens & Young Adults Redefining Themselves
MIKE'D UP!
In this episode, Mike sits down with renowned author for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about self-worth, mental health, and the untapped potential hiding inside every young person. Released during and with right around the corner, this episode isn’t only a discussion — it’s a rallying cry to rediscover our inner greatness. Gail takes you behind the pages of her new book , sharing powerful stories from 15 extraordinary young people who refused to be defined by setbacks, comparison, or social pressures. From the scars of the pandemic to the scroll-induced self-doubt of social...
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#269: Jonna Perlinger — Founder of Babe’s Babes on Championing Women in Sports Media
MIKE'D UP!
This week, we step into the heart and soul of America’s pastime. In this nostalgic episode, Mike sits down with , the driving force behind , to explore how baseball isn’t only a sport — it’s a legacy, a love language, and a way to keep the memories of those we cherish alive. From childhood living rooms turned into stadiums and sacred Yankees memorabilia that defined family bonds, to the modern-day mission of creating space for women’s voices in a traditionally male-dominated field — this conversation hits every note: nostalgia, inspiration, and pure passion for the game. Whether...
info_outlineThis week, Mike is joined by clinical psychologist and educational leader Doug Bolton, PhD, to take a deep dive into the complexities of children's misbehavior and stress. They discuss the shift from traditional views that focus on motivation and consequences to understanding misbehavior as a reaction to stress. Doug provides consultation, supervision, and professional development to parents, educators, and clinicians throughout Illinois, creating communities that foster student and staff resilience. Doug shares personal stories and professional expertise, offering practical strategies from his book, 'Untethered: Creating Connected Families, Schools, and Communities to Raise a Resilient Generation.' Listeners will gain valuable insights into emotional regulation, the impacts of parental stress on children, and the importance of attuned and quality time in fostering resilience and mental well-being.
Doug explains how misbehavior is often a sign of underlying stress and highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing these emotional needs. The conversation touches on his own experiences with family and divorce, unpacking how these events shaped his understanding of relationships and attachment.
Mike and Doug also explore the challenges of parenting and offer practical advice on how to navigate these difficulties while maintaining strong connections with children. This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone interested in understanding and improving both their own and their child’s mental health.
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