In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of A Wise and Happy Life Podcast, host Bob Martin welcomes back Asher Lester, breathwork and meditation teacher, for a deep dive into the soundtrack of the mind and how our inner voice shapes our outer reality. Asher shares how 90 days of loving-kindness meditation completely rewired his negative self-talk—from 90% critical to 90% compassionate—and what that transformation taught him about success, inner peace, and real human connection.

They explore why so many high achievers resist heart-centered practices, how to integrate mindfulness into the speed of life, and why cultivating present-moment awareness may be the most important skill of all.

🔑 Highlights – What You’ll Learn:

🧠 Why negative self-talk is not motivation—it’s verbal self-assault (and how to shift it)

💗 How loving-kindness practice can make you more effective—not “soft”

🧘 How to weave rest and mindfulness into daily moments like walking through doors or washing dishes

💬 Podcast Quote:

“The way I interface with myself had a direct impact on the way I interface with the people I love.” – Asher Lester

If you’ve ever felt stuck in negative self-talk or doubted that “soft” practices like breathwork could lead to real results—this episode is your turning point. Tune in now to A Wise and Happy Life, and start shifting your inner soundtrack today.

Connect with Asher Lester:

• Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/asherlester
• Website: https://www.nervousapes.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nervousapes
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nervousapes
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJP4bANhl3wDVXA2b3rmyGw

Connect with Bob Martin

• Website: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-martin-995b30127/
• Podbean: https://awiseandhappylife.podbean.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IamBobMartin

• Email: bob@awiseandhappylife.com

• Download my Free Meditation Ebook: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/what-is-meditation-anyway/
• Join my Free Monthly Q&A Session: https://register.awiseandhappylife.com/bob-martins-mindfulness-meetup
• Explore My Published Books: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/books/

This episode is brought to you by A Wise and Happy Life, a show where Bob Martin shares thoughtful, heartfelt conversations about what really makes life worth living.

Developed by TMX Creative – making podcasting easy and professional. Learn more about our video editing services and how we can help you grow!

#AWiseAndHappyLife #BobMartin #Happiness #Meditation #AnxietyRelieve #StressManagement #TMXCreative #AsherLester #KravMaga #MentalToughness #MindfulnessInAction #BehaviorAnalysis #AutismSupport #BataanDeathMarch #FearAndCourage #SelfDiscipline #Breathwork #LiveWithPurpose #GritAndGrace #PodcastForGrowth #TitanMediaWorx

What do Krav Maga, behavior analysis, and meditation have in common? For Asher Lester, they’ve all been paths to self-discovery, resilience, and purpose. In this episode of A Wise and Happy Life, Bob Martin sits down with Asher, a martial artist, educator, and breathwork trainer, to explore what it means to live at the edge of your comfort zone.

From a surprise start working with children on the autism spectrum to completing six 26.2-mile Bataan Memorial Death Marches carrying 50 lbs on his back, Asher shares how discipline, mindfulness, and service have helped him build mental toughness and stay grounded in moments of chaos. If you've ever wondered how to overcome fear, build grit, or find meaning in hard things, this conversation is for you.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series. In Part 2, Asher and Bob go deeper into the science of fear, emotional regulation, and how breathing and presence can change the way you live.

• "Don’t leave before the miracle happens." Asher shares how showing up, especially when it's hard, is the secret to transformation
• The power of breath and body: how Krav Maga and mindfulness rewire the nervous system
• Life at the edge: why the most meaningful change happens just outside your comfort zone

Podcast Phrase:

"Don’t leave before the miracle happens." – Asher Lester

Connect with Asher Lester:

• Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/asherlester
• Website: https://www.nervousapes.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nervousapes
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nervousapes
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJP4bANhl3wDVXA2b3rmyGw

Connect with Bob Martin

• Website: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-martin-995b30127/
• Podbean: https://awiseandhappylife.podbean.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IamBobMartin

• Email: bob@awiseandhappylife.com

• Download my Free Meditation Ebook: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/what-is-meditation-anyway/
• Join my Free Monthly Q&A Session: https://register.awiseandhappylife.com/bob-martins-mindfulness-meetup
• Explore My Published Books: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/books/

This episode is brought to you by A Wise and Happy Life, a show where Bob Martin shares thoughtful, heartfelt conversations about what really makes life worth living.

Developed by TMX Creative – making podcasting easy and professional. Learn more about our video editing services and how we can help you grow!

#AWiseAndHappyLife #BobMartin #Happiness #Meditation #AnxietyRelieve #StressManagement #TMXCreative #AsherLester #KravMaga #MentalToughness #MindfulnessInAction #BehaviorAnalysis #AutismSupport #BataanDeathMarch #FearAndCourage #SelfDiscipline #Breathwork #LiveWithPurpose #GritAndGrace #PodcastForGrowth #TitanMediaWorx

In Part 2 of her conversation with host Bob Martin, Cathy Perez opens up about what it means to channel fear and frustration into meaningful action. After years of volunteering, learning, and speaking up for reproductive justice and equity, Cathy shares why she believes “sitting on the couch won’t help you heal.”

This episode explores how activism can be a spiritual practice, how courage is built one small step at a time, and why speaking up matters now more than ever. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, angry, or stuck, Cathy’s story reminds us that purpose is found not just in what we believe, but in what we do.

• "Sitting on the couch is not going to help you get rid of that rage." Cathy explains how turning fear into action leads to healing
• Activism doesn’t have to be big. Even sending an email to a senator counts.
• Being around people who “light you up” builds courage, confidence, and spiritual resilience.

Podcast Phrase:

"Sitting on the couch is not going to help you get rid of that rage." – Cathy Perez

Connect with Cathy Perez:

• Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/cathyhannahperez
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cathyhannahperez
• Email: cathyhannahperez@gmail.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyhannahperez

Connect with Bob Martin

• Website: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-martin-995b30127/
• Podbean: https://awiseandhappylife.podbean.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IamBobMartin
• Email: bob@awiseandhappylife.com
• Download my Free Meditation Ebook: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/what-is-meditation-anyway/
• Join my Free Monthly Q&A Session: https://register.awiseandhappylife.com/bob-martins-mindfulness-meetup
• Explore My Published Books: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/books/

This episode is brought to you by A Wise and Happy Life, a show where Bob Martin shares thoughtful, heartfelt conversations about what really makes life worth living.

Developed by TMX Creative – making podcasting easy and professional. Learn more about our video editing services and how we can help you grow!

#AWiseAndHappyLife #BobMartin #Happiness #Meditation #AnxietyRelieve #JoyCheck #StressManagement #TMXCreative #Podcast #Interview #CathyPerez #MaryKondo #GratitudePractice #MindfulLiving #SpiritualOrganizing #DeclutterYourLife #IntentionalLiving #MentalClarity #HomeOrganization #EnergyFlow #MinimalismWithMeaning

Can cleaning out your closet actually help clear your mind? In this episode of A Wise and Happy Life, Bob Martin sits down with certified KonMari consultant Cathy Perez to explore the spiritual side of organizing.

Cathy shares how the KonMari method goes beyond tidying, it's a gratitude practice, a mindfulness tool, and a path to reconnecting with joy. You'll hear how “joy checking” isn't just about your stuff, it's about your energy, your clarity, and your soul. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by clutter or unsure where to begin, this conversation brings both peace and practical guidance.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series. In the next episode, Cathy and Bob dive into activism, volunteerism, and how serving others leads to lasting happiness.

• "The joy check is just a gratitude practice." Cathy explains how organizing isn’t about control, it’s about connection, presence, and self-respect.
• Mindful homes create mindful lives. Learn how clutter-free spaces support mental clarity, reduce stress, and help you live more intentionally.
• Your energy shapes the flow. Discover why you’re not just aligning with your environment, you’re co-creating it, moment by moment.

"The joy check is just a gratitude practice." – Cathy Perez

Connect with Cathy Perez:

• Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/cathyhannahperez
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cathyhannahperez
• Email: cathyhannahperez@gmail.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyhannahperez

Connect with Bob Martin

• Website: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-martin-995b30127/
• Podbean: https://awiseandhappylife.podbean.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IamBobMartin
• Email: bob@awiseandhappylife.com
• Download my Free Meditation Ebook: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/what-is-meditation-anyway/
• Join my Free Monthly Q&A Session: https://register.awiseandhappylife.com/bob-martins-mindfulness-meetup
• Explore My Published Books: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/books/

This episode is brought to you by A Wise and Happy Life, a show where Bob Martin shares thoughtful, heartfelt conversations about what really makes life worth living.

Developed by TMX Creative – making podcasting easy and professional. Learn more about our video editing services and how we can help you grow!

#AWiseAndHappyLife #BobMartin #Happiness #Meditation #AnxietyRelieve #JoyCheck #StressManagement #TMXCreative #Podcast #Interview #CathyPerez #MaryKondo #GratitudePractice #MindfulLiving #SpiritualOrganizing #DeclutterYourLife #IntentionalLiving #MentalClarity #HomeOrganization #EnergyFlow #MinimalismWithMeaning

What happens when the life you built starts to feel like someone else’s dream?

In this heartfelt episode of A Wise and Happy Life, Bob Martin sits down with Ray Martin, former “Business Leader of the Year” turned world-traveling author and humanitarian. After a personal and professional collapse, Ray walked away from corporate success to answer a question most of us avoid: What does a life true to yourself really look like?

Ray shares the power of intention, how living without a tie became his metaphor for personal freedom, and why being of service, whether running marathons for orphans or caring for a friend with cancer, transformed his definition of happiness. This is a must-listen if you’re standing at a crossroads or searching for a life with more meaning, courage, and heart.

What you’ll learn:

• Why corporate success doesn’t guarantee personal fulfillment
• How intention can quietly shape your future
• Why serving others is one of the most powerful paths to healing

Podcast Quote:

"If you really can't see a way out... go and find someone else who really needs help and help them 100%." — Ray Martin

Connect with Ray Martin:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachraymartin/
• Website: https://www.lifewithoutatie.com
• Book: Life Without a Tie on Amazon
• Free Audio Introduction: https://www.lifewithoutatie.com/audio

Connect with Bob Martin

• Website: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-martin-995b30127/
• Podbean: https://awiseandhappylife.podbean.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IamBobMartin
• Email: bob@awiseandhappylife.com
• Download my Free Meditation Ebook: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/what-is-meditation-anyway/
• Join my Free Monthly Q&A Session: https://register.awiseandhappylife.com/bob-martins-mindfulness-meetup
• Explore My Published Books: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/books/

This episode is brought to you by A Wise and Happy Life, a show where Bob Martin shares thoughtful, heartfelt conversations about what really makes life worth living.

Developed by TMX Creative – making podcasting easy and professional. Learn more about our video editing services and how we can help you grow!

#AWiseAndHappyLife #BobMartin #Happiness #Meditation #AnxietyRelieve #StressManagement #TMXCreative #RayMartin #LifeWithoutATie #IntentionalLiving #TransformYourLife #SpiritualAwakening #SelfDiscovery #Minimalism #PurposeDrivenLife #PodcastForGrowth #HumanPotential #EmotionalHealing #LeaveCorporateLife #LiveTrue #WellnessPodcast

At just 17 years old, Susan Snow's world changed in a single moment. Her father, an LAPD detective, was murdered in a targeted shooting. What followed was grief, chaos, and silence.

In this powerful conversation, Susan sits down with host Bob Martin to share the story she never asked to live but chose to rise from.

Together, they talk through the raw moments: hearing the news, feeling invisible, trying to navigate trauma at a time when PTSD wasn’t even part of the public conversation. This is more than a story of loss. It’s about survival, the power of memory, and how finding your voice can become the first step toward healing.

• The day Susan’s life changed forever and how her family tried to survive
• What it felt like to be a teenager lost in grief, ignored by the media, and invisible to the world
• Why trauma survivors often feel alone and how Susan began to find tools to cope

"In that moment, my world cracked." - Susan Snow

Connect with Susan Snow:

• Website: https://susansnowspeaks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susan_snow1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090839298654
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG1QrgGgeQdwVeQplu_VkBw
• Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/1681921791435x878793296155196500

Connect with Bob Martin

• Website: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-martin-995b30127/
• Podbean: https://awiseandhappylife.podbean.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IamBobMartin
• Email: bob@awiseandhappylife.com
• Download my Free Meditation Ebook: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/what-is-meditation-anyway/
• Join my Free Monthly Q&A Session: https://register.awiseandhappylife.com/bob-martins-mindfulness-meetup
• Explore My Published Books: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/books/

This episode is brought to you by A Wise and Happy Life, a show where Bob Martin shares thoughtful, heartfelt conversations about what really makes life worth living.

Developed by TMX Creative – making podcasting easy and professional. Learn more about our video editing services and how we can help you grow!

#AWiseAndHappyLife #BobMartin #Happiness #Meditation #AnxietyRelieve #StressManagement #TMXCreative #SusanSnow #TraumaRecovery #PostTraumaticGrowth #MentalHealthAwareness #ResilienceSpeaker #HealingAfterLoss #CourageToHeal #PTSDRecovery #WomenWhoInspire #PoliceFamily #GriefJourney #RealStoriesRealHealing #EmotionalWellbeing #PodcastForGrowth #MindfulConversations

What does church look like when you strip away the pressure, politics, production, and lead with grace?

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, host Bob Martin and Pastor Allen Cudahy explore the rebirth of faith through simplicity, community, and compassion.

Now living in Costa Rica, Pastor Allen shares how he started Garden of Grace, a faith gathering rooted in presence and healing. They dive into what it means to be a “pastor for the nones,” why spirituality is rising even as church attendance declines, and how a lifetime of ministry is now centered around porch conversations, not pulpits.

• "Penance comes after grace, not before." Pastor Allen reclaims the foundation of Christian teaching by flipping the script on guilt, repentance, and belonging.
• You don’t have to go to church to find God. Discover how Garden of Grace creates spiritual connection without walls, meeting people where they are, without pressure or performance.
• Faith after religion is real. Allen and Bob discuss the rise of spiritual seekers who’ve walked away from church but are still hungry for meaning, wisdom, and community.

Tune in to hear how Pastor Allen is reshaping faith and fellowship one porch gathering at a time. Subscribe to A Wise and Happy Life, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone seeking meaning, especially in midlife and beyond.

Connect with Pastor Allen Cudahy:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/allen-cudahy-26439023
• Website: http://destinationweddingscostarica.com/

Connect with Bob Martin

• Website: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-martin-995b30127/
• Podbean: https://awiseandhappylife.podbean.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IamBobMartin
• Email: bob@awiseandhappylife.com

• Download my Free Meditation Ebook: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/what-is-meditation-anyway/
• Join my Free Monthly Q&A Session: https://register.awiseandhappylife.com/bob-martins-mindfulness-meetup

• Explore My Published Books: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/books/

This episode is brought to you by A Wise and Happy Life, a show where Bob Martin shares thoughtful, heartfelt conversations about what really makes life worth living.

Developed by TMX Creative – making podcasting easy and professional. Learn more about our video editing services and how we can help you grow!

#AWiseAndHappyLife #BobMartin #Happiness #Meditation #AnxietyRelieve #Mindfulness #StressManagement #TMXCreative #PastorAllenCudahy #FaithAndPurpose #Costa Rica #ChurchInCostaRica #PostChristianEra #GraceNotJudgment #GardenOfGrace #SpiritualLife #MeaningfulLiving #PodcastSEO #HappinessPodcast

What makes someone walk away from a thriving megachurch in the U.S. to build a spiritual community on a front porch in Costa Rica?

What leads a respected Lutheran pastor to step away from a thriving megachurch and choose a slower, simpler life centered around real connection? In this episode of A Wise and Happy Life, host Bob Martin talks with Pastor Allen Cudahy about the calling that led him from U.S. pulpits to a quiet front porch in Costa Rica.

In Part 1, Pastor Allen opens up about the pressure of church performance culture, his early decisions to reject elite academic paths, and how he realized “the church left me first.” With warmth and honesty, he shares how decades in ministry shaped his understanding of grace, burnout, and the deeply human desire for belonging and meaning.

• "The church left me before I left the church." Allen reflects on how the spiritual culture he once helped lead began drifting from the values that mattered most—and why that pushed him toward a new kind of ministry.
• Burnout isn’t failure, it’s a signal. Learn how the emotional and spiritual exhaustion of megachurch life became a wake-up call for deeper purpose.
• Ministry isn’t a brand. Pastor Allen unpacks the difference between performing church and living it, and why he believes authenticity begins with being present, not polished.

Tune in to hear how Pastor Allen is reshaping faith and fellowship one porch gathering at a time. Subscribe to A Wise and Happy Life, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone seeking meaning, especially in midlife and beyond.

Connect with Pastor Allen Cudahy:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/allen-cudahy-26439023
• Website: http://destinationweddingscostarica.com/

Connect with Bob Martin

• Website: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-martin-995b30127/
• Podbean: https://awiseandhappylife.podbean.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IamBobMartin
• Email: bob@awiseandhappylife.com
• Download my Free Meditation Ebook: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/what-is-meditation-anyway/
• Join my Free Monthly Q&A Session: https://register.awiseandhappylife.com/bob-martins-mindfulness-meetup
• Explore My Published Books: https://www.awiseandhappylife.com/books/

This episode is brought to you by A Wise and Happy Life, a show where Bob Martin shares thoughtful, heartfelt conversations about what really makes life worth living.

Developed by TMX Creative – making podcasting easy and professional. Learn more about our video editing services and how we can help you grow!

#AWiseAndHappyLife #BobMartin #Happiness #Meditation #AnxietyRelieve #Mindfulness #StressManagement #TMXCreative #PastorAllenCudahy #FaithAndPurpose #Costa Rica #ChurchInCostaRica #PostChristianEra #GraceNotJudgment #GardenOfGrace #SpiritualLife #MeaningfulLiving #PodcastSEO #HappinessPodcast