BRAINZ PODCAST

In this episode of the Brains Magazine podcast, host Mark Sephton interviews Ellen Mannaert, a seasoned entrepreneur and CEO. Ellen shares her journey of embracing failure as a vital part of growth, discussing how her multicultural background and experiences have shaped her leadership style. She emphasizes the importance of difficult conversations, the process of unbecoming to find authenticity, and the power of imperfection in personal and professional development. Ellen encourages listeners to accept their current situations as a pathway to clarity and growth, ultimately inspiring them to create their own unique paths in life and business.In this episode, we discover the following: Fall in Love with FailingThe Power of UnbecomingEmbracing Imperfection Builds ResilienceAuthentic Leadership Starts with Self-AwarenessWith podcast host Mark SephtonHope you'll enjoy the episode!

In this conversation, Alneja shares her deeply personal journey of facing a heart-shattering diagnosis that threatened her dreams of motherhood. She reflects on the moment she was told she might never become a mom and how that fueled her determination to prove the doctors wrong. Alneja emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself and understanding that health issues are often symptoms of deeper problems. Her story is one of resilience, healing, and the belief that everyone’s journey is unique.We discover the following: How Emotional Wounds Quietly Block FertilityAlneja’s Journey That Defied Medical PredictionsWhy Fertility Is More Emotional Than PhysicalThe Hidden Role Men Play in Fertility StrugglesThe Powerful Mindset Shift That Helps Women Conceive Against All OddsWith podcast host Mark SephtonHope you'll enjoy the episode!

In this exclusive Brainz Magazine Podcast, Mark Sephton sits down with publishing and book marketing expert and founder of Big Impact Books, Melanie Herschorn, to explore how turning your expertise into a book can build trust, amplify visibility, and leave a lasting legacy.We discover the following:Turning Expertise into Legacy Through BooksBuilding Trust and Authority with Your WordsOvercoming Imposter Syndrome to Own Your StoryBalancing Authenticity and Strategy in Book MarketingTransforming Lives by Sharing the Stories That MatterWith podcast host Mark SephtonHope you'll enjoy the episode!

In this powerful episode of the Brainz Magazine Podcast, Dr. Celeste Birkhofer joins Mark Sephton to share her 40 years of psychological wisdom, to explore why taking good care of your mental health should be as crucial as taking care of your physical health, how to develop inner strength and “wise self,” and the importance of compassion and authenticity for healing and personal growth in both ourselves and others.We discover the following:“Your Mental Health Matters”: Why It Deserves the Same Good Care as Physical HealthBeyond Quick Fixes - Building Inner Resources for Meaningful Personal Transformation Developing Your ‘Wise Self’: The Key to Mediating Between Emotional and Rational InputTurning Pain into Purpose — How Loss Inspired a Lifelong Mission to Help Others Heal & GrowKindness, Compassion, and Connection: The Next Leap in Mental Health AwarenessWith podcast host Mark SephtonHope you'll enjoy the episode!

This is a special edition of the Brainz Podcast with Viviana Castaneda and Jacqui Coutts.In this episode, From Overwhelm to Clarity: A Content Creation Story, Viviana Castaneda and Jacqui Coutts talk about transforming your content cycle.Listen and enjoy!Do you like the content? Don't forget to subscribe to the Brainz Podcast.

Tan Chrissis is a global entrepreneur, mindset coach, speaker, and founder of Cognitive Verse, a pioneering platform that merges cognitive science with practical frameworks to help individuals and organizations achieve sustainable high performance. Through his work — including the Optimal Mind App — Tan empowers people to align ambition with purpose, build resilience, and thrive across all areas of life.In this episode, Mark Sephton talks with Tan Chrissis about how cognitive technology, early imprinting, and brain optimisation can unlock greater visibility, expression, and impact in business.We discover the following: The Origin of Visibility: How Our Earliest Imprints Shape How We Show Up in Business TodayWhy Entrepreneurs Stay Hidden — and How to Reclaim Your Right To Be SeenThe Energetic Birth of Visibility: What You Were Given Before You Could Even SpeakFrom Invisibility To Impact: Healing The Early Imprints That Silence Your VoiceWhere Visibility Truly Begins: Why Business Success Starts Before You Enter The MarketplaceWith podcast host Mark SephtonHope you'll enjoy the episode!

Kathleen Johnson does not have a traditional Human Resources background in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). She is an artist first and is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 2021 was the first time she had worked in corporate since the mid-90s, having pursued a career in film and television after staying home with her 5 children for 10 years. Today, she is the founder and CEO of Kreativ Culture Strategies and a Senior Advisor of DEI in healthcare. Thinking Outside the Boardroom: Creative Solutions in DEI and Anti-racism is her latest book, published in 2025. She is an instructor at Simon Fraser University, contributes monthly to Brainz Magazine, has a podcast called The Kreactivators, is one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch for 2025, and has worked on major feature films and with artists like Ben Affleck. Kathleen is also a stand-up comedian and uses it as a technique in creative engagement on social justice. She has a degree from Carleton University in Sociology and Anthropology, a DEI certificate from Cornell University, and a makeup arts diploma from CMU College of Makeup Art and Design. In this episode, Mark Sephton talks with Kathleen Johnson, DEI expert, creative strategist, and author of Thinking Outside the Boardroom, about how creativity and courage can drive meaningful cultural change. Together, they explore the power of reflection, play, and purpose in building more inclusive and human-centered workplaces.In this episode, we discover the following: The Art of Building a Plane While Flying It.From Resistance to Readiness.The Inner Work of Leadership.Play, Creativity, and Connection in DEI.Turning Awareness into Action.With podcast host Mark SephtonHope you'll enjoy the episode!

In this exclusive Brainz Magazine Podcast, Dr. Pedro Valente joins Mark Sephton to share how personal loss, medical expertise, and entrepreneurial drive fused into a global mission to make evidence-based skin wellness visible, accessible, and transformative.In this episode, we discover the following: From Medicine to Entrepreneurship.Listening Creates Innovation.Fighting Fads with Facts.Purpose Through Loss.AI, Longevity & The Future of Wellness.With podcast host Mark SephtonHope you'll enjoy the episode!

Today on the Brainz Magazine Podcast, Mark Sephton sits down with Vanessa Rose Chykerda, a passionate hairstylist and educator who believes beauty begins from within. From styling her parents’ hair as a young girl to empowering others across the beauty industry, Vanessa shares how passion, purpose, and authenticity can transform both appearance and self-worth.In this episode, we discover the following: Turning a Childhood Hobby into a Lifelong CareerThe Power of Support and Mentorship in Building SuccessHairstyling as Emotional and Transformative WorkEducation as the Key to Growth and Industry RespectInspiring Beauty from the Inside OutWith podcast host Mark SephtonHope you'll enjoy the episode!