Podcast
Finding Better Podcast
Hosted by John Suzuki · EN
At Finding Better, John Suzuki’s mission is simple: To help people build the “better” they seek in life—personally and professionally—by sharing the real-life stories of you who have been there and done that.
John’s approach is grounded in the belief that lived experience is the most powerful teacher. Sometimes, the best path to success isn’t to invent it—it’s to observe it, learn from it, and honor those who’ve walked it before you. That’s what makes Finding Better different.
Every conversation is rooted in authenticity, not ego. By sharing your story with purpose and heart, you’re not just “selling yourself”— You’re giving someone else the roadmap they didn’t know they needed.
John believes we each live three careers:
1. To Learn – in school
2. To Earn – a living
3. To Return – by giving back
Now living his “third career,” John’s mission is to help others live better, more meaningful lives—and to bring a little more heart back into the world.
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
EP 212 - Transitioning from a life you love to a life you love more - Alex Husner & Annie Holcombe
3d ago00:53:26Tap to summarizeCareer reinvention isn't about retreat — it's about betting on yourself. In this episode of Finding Better, I sit down with Alex Husner and Annie Holcombe, co-hosts of the award-winning Alex and Annie Podcast, to talk about leaving the corporate world, navigating career transition in the age of AI, and building a life you actually love. We dig into what it really takes to reinvent your career: shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset, overcoming imposter syndrome, the real power of relationships and personal branding, and how a "just-for-fun" podcast became the catalyst that changed both their careers, businesses, and lives. If you're thinking about leaving your 9-to-5, navigating a career pivot, starting your own business, or just need a serious mindset shift — this conversation is for you. Hit subscribe, drop a comment, and share this with someone who needs to hear it today.
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EP 211 - The Lady in the Mask: Surviving the Paddington Crash & Finding Better | Pam Warren
2w ago00:51:11Tap to summarizeIn 1999, Pam Warren survived the Paddington train crash — Britain's worst rail disaster of the 20th century — and became known as "The Lady in the Mask." In this episode of Finding Better, I sit down with Pam to talk about surviving unimaginable tragedy, rebuilding her identity after trauma, and how she took on the UK government to make British rail one of the safest in Europe. We talk about: ✅ Surviving the 1999 Paddington train crash and fireball ✅ Life as "The Woman in the Mask" — 2 years in a Perspex face mask ✅ Rebuilding identity, purpose, and confidence after tragedy ✅ Why life isn't fair — and why that's not the end of your story ✅ How an "ordinary woman" took on the government and won ✅ Finding better when life changes overnight ✅ Designing Your Life When All Goes Wrong If you're navigating unexpected change, loss, divorce, job loss, illness, or any kind of personal tragedy, Pam's story is proof that no matter how bad things get — finding better is always an option. 🌐 Learn more about Pam: https://www.pamwarren.co.uk/
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EP 210 - 5-3-26 - AI Isn't Replacing You - It's Revealing You
2w ago00:33:49Tap to summarizeIs AI going to replace you? I used to hear that question every single day — and after 40 years in technology, from IBM in 1984 through the rise of the internet, e-commerce, and now artificial intelligence, I can tell you the answer is not what you think. AI isn't replacing you. It's revealing you. In this episode of Finding Better, I break down the 5 most powerful lessons from our recent episodes — the ones I truly believe can change your life if you let them in. Here's what we cover: 🔹 The illusion of connection — why we've never been more connected yet more lonely, and what "pseudo connections" are doing to our mental health and relationships 🔹 AI as a mirror — how artificial intelligence is exposing what's truly valuable about you (and it's not your tasks or your data) 🔹 The success trap — why so many high achievers are succeeding at the wrong things, and how to define success on your own terms before it's too late 🔹 Your human edge — why empathy, emotional intelligence, presence, and deep human connection are becoming the most valuable skills in the age of automation 🔹 The renaissance of heart — how the AI revolution is pushing us toward a revival of our humanity, and why that's the greatest opportunity of our lifetime I've spent decades watching technology get smarter and smarter — and in the process, I've watched a lot of people forget their heart. This episode is about coming back to it. If you're asking "will AI take my job," "how do I find purpose in the age of AI," or "how do I stop feeling so disconnected," this conversation is for you.
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EP 209 - Why Ownership Fixes Everything
4w ago00:59:27Tap to summarize🔥 The moment you choose ownership… everything changes. In this powerful episode of the Finding Better Podcast, John Suzuki sits down with Brian Price — executive coach, speaker, and creator of the Extraordinary Husband Framework — to explore how taking full ownership of your life can transform your relationships, identity, and purpose. From navigating burnout and career pressure to facing his daughter’s leukemia diagnosis and nearly losing his marriage, Brian shares the raw, real experiences that forced him to redefine leadership — starting with himself. This is a conversation about presence, responsibility, and what it truly means to fight for the people you love — not with them. Inside this conversation, you’ll learn: 1. Why most people struggle with relationships (even when they care deeply) 2. The hidden cost of “compartmentalizing” your life 3. How disconnection is quietly damaging modern relationships 4. The difference between fighting with vs. fighting for your partner 5. How a life crisis can realign your priorities instantly 6. What true ownership actually looks like in everyday life 7. Why self-leadership is the foundation of all leadership 💡 Key Takeaways: 1. Ownership means taking full responsibility for your actions, emotions, and impact 2. You can’t lead others until you learn to lead yourself 3. Presence matters more than performance in relationships 4. Everything in your life is connected — nothing is isolated 5. Choosing ownership is the turning point for real change Connect with Brian Price: Facebook: www.facebook.com/brian.m.price1 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brianmprice Instagram: @brianmprice109
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EP 208 - Why Modern Relationships Are Failing (And What to Do Instead)
Apr 2400:57:05Tap to summarizeWe’ve never been more connected… yet so many of us feel completely alone. In this powerful episode of the Finding Better Podcast, John Suzuki sits down with Keith Spurgin to explore one of the biggest paradoxes of our time — how technology is bringing us closer together while quietly pulling us apart. From social media to AI companions, this conversation dives deep into why real human connection is fading — and what we can do to reclaim it. Inside this conversation, you’ll learn: 1. Why technology creates a false sense of connection 2. The concept of “pseudo community” and why it leaves us empty 3. How social media and AI can increase loneliness instead of solving it 4. Why relationships — not success — are what truly matter 5. The danger of constantly “restarting” relationships instead of growing them 6. How conflict, when handled right, actually deepens connection 7. Why the future of AI makes human relationships more important than ever 💡 Key Takeaways: 1. Life is relationships — everything else is just details 2. Real connection requires effort, discomfort, and sacrifice 3. Loneliness is rising despite unprecedented digital access 4. Conflict is not the problem — avoiding it is 5. Human connection is a skill, and it can be learned Connect with Keith Spurgin: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keith.spurgin.3 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-spurgin-807056278/ 👍 If this episode resonated with you, make sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs more real connection in their life.
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EP 207 - AI Isn’t Replacing You… You’re Using It Wrong | From Fear to Freedom with Wes Towers
Apr 1500:50:58Tap to summarizeWhat if the thing you fear the most right now… is actually the thing that could change your life forever? What if AI isn’t here to replace you… but to reveal who you really are? In this episode of the Finding Better Podcast, John Suzuki sits down with Wes Towers — founder of Uplift360 — who faced a moment most people never see coming: His business… his identity… his life… all shaken at once. Because here’s the truth: AI doesn’t just disrupt industries… it exposes them. And sometimes… it exposes you too. Just a few years ago, Wes was running a successful digital agency. But when AI entered the picture, everything changed. His industry was suddenly under threat. His company was labeled “uncertain”… even “worthless.” And at the same time — his personal life was falling apart. He went from building a business… to sleeping under his office desk. From stability… to complete uncertainty. But instead of running from AI — he made a decision most people avoid: He chose to understand it. He chose to adapt. He chose to rebuild. And what happened next… changed everything. This conversation isn’t just about artificial intelligence. It’s about resilience, identity, and what happens when life forces you to start over. Because in a world where AI is getting smarter every day… your humanity matters more than ever. Inside this conversation, you’ll learn: -Why AI is not your biggest threat — but your biggest opportunity -How to adapt when your entire industry is being disrupted -The real reason most businesses fail in the age of AI -How to use AI without losing your authenticity -Why trust and human connection are becoming more valuable than ever -How Wes rebuilt his business after hitting rock bottom -The shift from “doing more” to focusing on what actually matters -Why AI should enhance your life — not replace it 💡 Key Takeaways: -AI will amplify who you are — not replace you -The businesses that win will be the most human -Your lowest moments can become your turning point -Adaptation is no longer optional — it’s survival -Connection will always outperform automation 🌍 Connect with Wes Towers: Website: https://uplift360.com.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Uplift360Aus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uplift_360/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/westowers/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@westowers YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@uplift_360/streams 👍 If this episode made you rethink your relationship with AI, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who’s feeling uncertain about the future. Because the future isn’t about competing with AI… it’s about becoming more human than ever before. #FindingBetter #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Entrepreneurship #Mindset #BusinessGrowth #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #FutureOfWork #HumanConnection
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EP 206 - He Had Everything… Then Walked Away to Find His Real Life | John Salzwedel
Apr 800:38:42Tap to summarize🔥 What if the reason you feel stuck in life… isn’t because you’re lost — but because you’ve never actually decided what you want? In this episode of the Finding Better Podcast, John Suzuki sits down with John Salzwedel — coach, speaker, and author of Stop Leaving Life on the Table — who walked away from decades of success as a CEO… after realizing he had everything society told him to want, but none of what truly fulfilled him. Because here’s the truth: Most people don’t feel empty because they failed… they feel empty because they succeeded at the wrong things. After spending 30 years building a successful career from the ground up — going from opening mail to becoming the owner and CEO of a national company — John hit a moment most people fear: He reached the top… and realized he didn’t want to be there anymore. So he made a decision most people avoid. He stepped away, turned down the noise of the world, and started designing a life that actually meant something. This conversation isn’t just about success. It’s about identity, intention, and having the courage to stop living by default — and start living by design. Inside this conversation, you’ll learn: -Why achieving “success” can still leave you feeling empty -How to cut through the noise and discover what truly matters to you -The simple exercise that reveals your real priorities -Why most people are chasing a definition of success that isn’t theirs -How to stop leaving life on the table — and start living fully -Why fulfillment comes from alignment, not achievement -How to make bold life changes without losing yourself -The truth about purpose that no one teaches you 💡 Key Takeaways: -Success without meaning will always feel empty -If you don’t define your life, the world will do it for you -Clarity comes when you slow down and listen to yourself -You’re allowed to choose a different path — even after “making it” -Don’t leave your life on the table Website: www.theCoach.vip Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecoach.vip LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/john-salzwedel-75986718 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnsalzwedel/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnsalzwedel 👍 If this message resonated with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who feels stuck — or someone who needs the courage to start living life on their own terms. #FindingBetter #LifeDesign #Purpose #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #Fulfillment #Success #SelfDiscovery #Motivation #LifeLessons
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What If You’re Stronger Than Your Circumstances? | Jay Setchell on Resilience, Pain & Never Quitting
Apr 100:38:57Tap to summarize🔥 What if the real reason you’re struggling… isn’t your circumstances — but your willingness to keep going when life gets hard? In this episode of the Finding Better Podcast, John Suzuki sits down with Jay Setchell — a resilience speaker, author, and multi-time death survivor who has endured over six dozen surgeries, paralysis, traumatic injuries, and unimaginable pain… yet refuses to quit. Because here’s the truth: Most people don’t break because life is hard… they break because they stop moving forward. Drawing from a lifetime of extreme adversity — including near-death experiences, chronic pain, and living mostly paralyzed in a wheelchair — Jay shares the mindset that has carried him through it all: Sweat dries. Blood clots. Bones heal. So get up and keep going. This conversation goes far beyond resilience. It dives into what it really means to live with gratitude, to reject victimhood, and to keep showing up — not just for yourself, but for others — no matter what life throws at you. Inside this conversation, you’ll learn: -Why quitting becomes tempting — and how to push through anyway -The mindset that turns pain into purpose -Why gratitude is a daily decision (even in suffering) -How “stubbornness” can become your greatest strength -The truth about resilience that most people don’t understand -Why you must take responsibility instead of waiting for help -How small actions create momentum in the hardest moments -The power of perspective when everything seems against you 💡 Key Takeaways: -If you’re breathing, you’re not done — keep moving. -You have more to offer life than you think. -Gratitude isn’t situational — it’s a choice. -Resilience is built through action, not comfort. -If you can’t find better… create it. 👍 If this message resonated with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a reminder to keep going — especially when life feels impossible. #FindingBetter #Resilience #NeverGiveUp #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #Discipline #MentalStrength #Motivation #LifeLessons #Gratitude #Perseverance
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Why You’re Not Getting Better (Even When You’re Trying) | Aaron Trahan
Mar 2500:49:37Tap to summarize🔥 What if getting better isn’t about working harder… but working on the right things? In this episode of the Finding Better Podcast, John Suzuki sits down with Aaron Trahan — a leadership and performance coach who helps high performers rethink how they approach growth, success, and improvement across both work and life. Because here’s the truth: Most people don’t fail because they lack effort… they fail because they’re focused on the wrong things. Drawing from over 20 years of leadership experience — including running a billion-dollar business — Aaron shares the real lessons he learned the hard way: Success without awareness can still lead to failure. This conversation goes beyond business. It dives into what it actually means to get better as a leader, a partner, a parent, and as a human being — and why most people stay stuck despite wanting more. Inside this conversation, you’ll learn: Why “getting better” is not a solo journey -The hidden reason most people fail their goals (even with motivation) -How your calendar reveals your real priorities -Why focus — not talent — is the ultimate performance superpower -The role of subtraction (not addition) in personal growth -How blind spots hold you back more than lack of skill -The “5 Whys” method to uncover the real reason behind your goals 💡 Key Takeaways: -You can’t improve what you don’t see — awareness is everything. -Your priorities aren’t what you say — they’re what you schedule. -Focus requires saying no — and that’s non-negotiable. -A strong “why” will always lead you to the “how.” -Growth isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what matters. Connect with Aaron Trahan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarontrahancoaching/ 👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who’s trying to get better — but might be focusing on the wrong things. #FindingBetter #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #Mindset #SelfImprovement #Focus #Productivity #HighPerformance #Success #GrowthMindset #Discipline #LifeLessons
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EP 203 - Stop Doing More: Nell Debevoise on Letting Go to Find Better
Mar 1800:54:18Tap to summarize🔥 What if the path to finding better isn’t about doing more… but doing less? In this episode of the Finding Better Podcast, John Suzuki sits down with Nell Debevoise, a subtraction strategist who helps high achievers rethink success by removing what quietly drains their energy. In a world obsessed with productivity, hustle, and adding more habits, Nell introduces a powerful alternative: systematic subtraction — the intentional process of letting go of what no longer serves you so you can reclaim clarity, alignment, and sustainable success. Drawing from her personal experiences with burnout, a life-changing car accident, and her work coaching leaders alongside horses, Nell shares why the most capable and responsible people are often the most depleted — and how to break that cycle. This conversation will challenge the idea that success always requires more effort and offer a refreshing new perspective: sometimes the best way forward is by removing what’s holding you back. Inside this conversation, you’ll learn: 1. Why high achievers are often the most burned out 2. The concept of systematic subtraction and how it works 3. The difference between balance and true alignment in life and leadership 4. How constant productivity pressure leads to diminishing returns 5. What horses can teach us about presence and energy management 6. Why stopping to ask “How is this really going?” can change everything 7. The simple “Stop, Drop, Roll” method for preventing burnout 💡 Key Takeaways: 1. Success isn’t always additive — sometimes progress requires subtraction. 2. Burnout often comes from responsibility and capability, not weakness. 3. Alignment across work, personal life, and purpose matters more than balance. 4. Constant productivity pressure leads to diminishing returns. 5. Real clarity often comes from pausing and removing what drains you. Connect with Nell Debevoise: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nell3d/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nelldd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Leadin3D 👍If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might need permission to do a little less and live a little better.
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