MINDSET ZONE

“98% of the atoms in your body are removed and replaced every year.” -Udo Erasmus In this episode of the Mindset Zone, host Ana Melikian discusses the transformative power of nutrition, particularly focusing on the role of fats and oils in human health with guest Udo Erasmus, a renowned figure in the field of health and nutrition. Erasmus, the author of ‘Fats That Kill' and a pioneer in understanding essential fatty acids, delves into his personal journey of healing from pesticide poisoning through nutritional research. He emphasizes how the body's constant renewal process makes healing possible through improved dietary standards, particularly by incorporating the right fats. Ana and Udo also explore broader concepts such as the importance of addressing contradictions in science and life, the unity behind apparent paradoxes, and the significance of internal exploration for holistic well-being. The conversation further covers Erasmus's development of a method for producing health-beneficial oils and his insights into achieving vitality and energy through alignment on multiple life levels. The episode underscores the interconnectedness of physical health, emotional well-being, and spiritual awareness in living a fulfilled life. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: * 00:00 The Power of Healing Through Nutrition * 00:37 Introduction to the Mindset Zone Podcast * 01:20 Special Guest: Udo Erasmus, Visionary in Health and Nutrition * 02:23 Exploring Contradictions and Unity in Life and Science * 09:12 The Journey from Pesticide Poisoning to Nutritional Enlightenment * 13:20 The Essential Role of Fats and Oils in Our Health * 20:04 Creating Healthier Oils: The Birth of Udo's Oil * 25:18 The Impact of Proper Nutrition on Skin and Overall Health * 28:15 Udo Erasmus Shares His Philosophy on Life, Energy, and Vitality * 33:27 Where to Learn More About Udo Erasmus and His Work * 35:05 Closing Thoughts and Podcast Outro Meet the Guest: The legendary Udo Erasmus is the co-founder of Udo’s Choice line, which can be found in Whole Foods and other health food stores worldwide. Udo designed the machinery for making oils with health in mind and pioneered flax oil, a billion dollar industry. However, Udo walked a difficult path to become the man he is today. Being a child of war, Udo’s life began with intense struggle. As an adult, he got pesticide poisoning in 1980, leaving doctors at a loss regarding treatment. Deciding to take his health into his own hands, Udobegan researching, and his discoveries led him to a passion for finding the answers to life’s big questions which would hopefully one day bring him and the world peace. Today, Udo is an acclaimed speaker and author of many books, including the best-selling Fats That Heal Fats That Kill, which has sold over 250,000 copies. He teaches at events hosted by Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra, has keynoted an international brain health conference, and has traveled to over 30 countries to conduct thousands of live presentations, media interviews, and staff trainings impacting more than 25,000,000 lives with his message on oils,

“If we get together as a community to make a difference and keep hope alive, then it is possible to make change.” – Ana Melikian I recently had the opportunity of seeing the premiere of Jane Goodall’s Reasons for Hope here at the Arizona Science Center with my 14-year-old daughter. Reasons for Hope is a documentary film that highlights Jane Goodall’s work as a primatologist and her mission to inspire people—especially the youth—to be active in the world and drive change. The premier was truly an incredible event and having my daughter see the film with me warmed my heart. Reasons for Hope also made me realize how hope is vital to driving change for us, the ones around us, and the world. In this episode, I discuss Jane Goodall’s Reasons for Hope and outline its five inspiring stories. I share my goal of earning the B Corporation certification for my business and explain why doing so is important to me. I emphasize the value of spreading stories of hope and having role models. I also highlight the need to use all the tools in our toolbox to drive impact on nature and environmental preservation and offer advice on what you can do to help heal the planet we live on. This week on The Mindset Zone: * Jane Goodall’s Reasons for Hope * How human potential and resilience can help nature and inspire others * The Sudbury Regreening story * Human innovation in tech, green energy, and carbon sequestration * Using our tools to make a difference in nature and the environment * The reintroduction of the American bison and birds to the Alps * Spreading stories of hope * The value of role models * My journey to earn B Corp certification * Creating hope and change in the world Related episodes: * Beyond Optimism & Resilience with Janice Perkins * A Conversation with Viktor Frankl’s Grandson – Alexander Vesely Resources Mentioned: * Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope Trailer Expand What’s Possible

“When we use ‘stressed’ and ‘overwhelmed’ as the same, we lose a container for when things get really overwhelming—when we feel upside down and underwater.” – Ana Melikian Have you ever noticed how drinking your morning coffee from your favorite mug makes that experience magical? In her book, Atlas of the Heart, American researcher and storyteller Brené Brown writes about how naming emotions is important. Words, according to Brené Brown, are like containers that shape our emotions. The right or wrong word gives a different feeling for our emotions and experience the same way drinking from our favorite mug or a styrofoam cup changes our experiences with coffee. Applying this logic, I believe understanding the difference between “stressed” and “overwhelmed” can make all the difference in our lives and expand our possibilities. In this episode, I highlight the difference between “stressed” and “overwhelmed” and explain how understanding their difference can empower us. I share an excerpt from Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart and describe her research on emotions. I discuss why we tend to overuse the word “overwhelm” and how using “overwhelmed” and “stressed” interchangeably impacts us. I also outline some steps you can take when you feel chronic stress or overwhelm and underscore the importance of learning more words to describe your emotional life. This week on The Mindset Zone: * Understanding the difference between “stressed” and “overwhelmed” * Why we tend to overuse “overwhelm” * The etymology of “overwhelm” * The disadvantage of using “overwhelmed” and “stressed” interchangeably * What to do when you feel chronic stress * Why we shouldn’t force anything when we’re overwhelmed Resources Mentioned: * Magic Mind | Coupon code: MINDZONE20 * BOOK: Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown Related Episodes: * Differentiating Stressors & Stress Responses for Improved Well-being * Stress is a Tool, Not a Toxin with Dr. G * Use STRESS to Your Advantage with Barry Shore * Understanding Burnout: A Reflection Expand What’s Possible

“A dialogue is not an event. It’s a process that’s not going to happen in one meeting, and it’s a journey that requires a lot of commitment to listening, to honesty, and to vulnerability.” – Bhakti Karkare Bhakti joins me today to outline her framework for facilitating dialogue and discuss how it can be used to create inclusive, engaging, and more human workplaces. She describes her background and how she became passionate about the power of dialogue. She defines dialogue and differentiates it from everyday chats and conversations. Bhakti also distinguishes the space between the “doing” and “being” of dialogue and underscores the need to step beyond speaking and listening to engage in empowering dialogue. This week on The Mindset Zone: * The story behind Bhakti’s passion for dialogue * The three shifts in perspective that empower Bhakti’s practice as a master facilitator * Why workplaces need to shift the power from leaders to the people they serve * Why true, powerful dialogue is beyond speaking and listening * How facilitators create the space between the “doing” and “being” of dialogue * Why leaders and HR professionals need to have the skills of facilitators * How HR professionals can use Bhakti’s dialogue framework to help senior leaders expand their perspectives * The difference between a conversation and a dialogue * The outcomes of a successful dialogue * The etymology of dialogue * Teaching the art of dialogue to others * The facilitator mindset Guest: Bhakti Karkare is a master facilitator and the founder of Third Loop Learning LLC, a professional training and coaching organization. She is a leadership development consultant and learning strategist known for her work with groups, individuals, and organizations. With a decade of experience working with global HR teams, Bhakti draws from her wealth of knowledge to bring unique cultural insights to her consulting and speaking engagements. She is on a mission to teach leaders to use the power of dialogue to create inclusive, engaging, and more human workplaces. In addition to her work at Third Loop Learning, Bhakti  serves as a member of the Board of Directors of SHRM Greater Phoenix and as a consultant and facilitator for The Silverene Group. Connect with Bhakti Karkare: * Third Loop Learning LLC * Email: thirdloopllc@gmail.com * Third Loop Learning LLC on LinkedIn * Bhakti Karkare on LinkedIn * Bhakti Karkare on Twitter

“Teacher’ sounds like you’re supposed to teach when you actually need to lead the learning. Sometimes, we lead the learning by teaching, but there are more ways to lead learning other than teaching.” – Lee Jenkins Lee Jenkins joins me today to discuss how schools are failing our kids and what can be done to bring joy back to learning. He explains what the Jenkins Curve is and describes how schools tend to use data to compare and shame children. Lee discusses how schools can leverage data and assessments to keep children curious and motivated to learn. Lee also highlights how we can teach children to be good losers and good winners through sports and athleticism and underscores why teachers are leaders. This week on The Mindset Zone: * The need to amplify possibilities for today’s children * The Jenkins Curve and the shortcomings of the modern school system * Bringing psychology into our classrooms and our educational system * How the educational system is killing children’s love of learning * Using data and student assessment to bring joy * The bell curve assessment * Distinguishing between essential and trivial knowledge * Creating lifelong learners * How schools are adopting Lee’s new approaches to education * Teaching children how to be good losers and winners Resources Mentioned: * Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. S. Dweck Guest: Dr. Lyle Lee Jenkins is an author, speaker, consultant, and recognized expert in improving educational outcomes. Over the last 50 years, Lee has been learning from world-class experts while working as a teacher, principal, school superintendent, and university professor. Lee founded LtoJ LLC in 2003, inspired by his mission to ensure that every child has an educational experience that promotes and encourages the natural love of learning they were born with—while exceeding educational goals. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Point Loma Nazarene University, a Master’s in Education from San Jose State University, and a Ph.D. from the Claremont Graduate University. Connect with Lee Jenkins: * LtoJ LLC * LtoJ LLC on LinkedIn * LtoJ LLC on YouTube * LtoJ LLC on Instagram * LtoJ LLC on Facebook *

“We’re all connected as humanity. When we’re not in sync with ourselves, it’s difficult to create harmony and be in tune with everybody else.” – Maris Segal Ken and Maris join me today to discuss the four universal rhythms of relationships at home and work. It’s all about, “Show up with respect, stand up and be responsible, reframe limiting beliefs, step forward with resilience.” They also describe how anyone can increase awareness of their own limiting beliefs and highlight the importance of finding gratitude in every experience. This week on The Mindset Zone: * What working on mindset means to me * The power of respect and its importance in relationships * Why people are like musical instruments * What it takes to create harmony in the world * The rhythm of responsibility, knowing your core values, and communicating the “why” * Reframing limiting beliefs and “FACE-ing” difficult, negative emotions * Why limiting beliefs are like blindspots * Persistence, commitment, and standing resilient against the waves of life * The power of cultivating gratitude Guests: Ken Ashby and Maris Segal are transformational coaches regarded as America’s Master Connectors. They are the authors of The RFactor: Discover the Universal Rhythms for Leading Prosperous Relationships. As individuals and business and life partners, Ken and Maris have worked across forty countries and served a spectrum of local and global leaders, brands, and policymakers. From boardrooms, Harvard, and The White House, they have worked with executives, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and rising leaders to identify and bring their professional, personal, and philanthropic vision to life. Connect with Ken Ashby & Maris Segal: * Segal Leadership Global * The 4Gs Gratitude Practice * Book: The RFactor: Discover the Universal Rhythms for Leading Prosperous Relationships * Ken Ashby & Maris Segal on Instagram Expand What’s Possible

“The patients would sit up after their veneers had been placed and just cry. For the first time in their lives, they feel like they have the confidence to smile, talk, and eat. That was my ‘why.’” – Mark Willes Mark joins me today to discuss how giving back can give meaning to our work. He describes his unconventional path to becoming a dental lab technician and how he became frustrated after a year and a half of working at a dental lab. He offers advice on building a thriving business. Mark also highlights the power of believing in and speaking from your vision and underscores the importance of connecting with your “why.” This week on The Mindset Zone: * Mark’s beginnings in cosmetic dentistry * Why Mark started feeling frustrated after a year and a half of working as a dental lab technician * How the desire to be at the forefront of innovation energized Mark in his work * The power of believing and speaking from your vision * How seeing the impact of his work on other people’s lives motivated him * The importance of connecting with your “why” * Why Mark had to found a new company from scratch and what he learned from the experience * How giving back gives meaning to Mark’s work * Educating the dental community and dental patients Resources Mentioned: * Give Back a Smile Guest: Mark Willes is the founder and co-developer of Durathin Veneers. Mark began his training as a dental lab technician at Utah Valley Dental Lab in 1996, where he soon became a partner. He has served as an assistant instructor for the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum’s Advanced Anterior Course and has also worked with the Hornbrook Group as a lab instructor. Over the years, Mark has developed several live patient programs, including his current hands-on DURAthin LIVE courses with Dr. Dennis Wells. In 2008, Mark and Dr. Wells—co-developers of DURAthin Veneers—were awarded the AACD’s Outstanding Scientific Advancement in Cosmetic Dentistry award for their work with no-prep veneers. Connect with Mark Willes: * Experience Dental Studio * Durathin Veneers Expand What’s Possible

“Acting is symbiotic with human life, culture, and how we interact with others.” – Darrell Stern Darrell joins me today to discuss thriving through loss and transforming challenges into opportunities to thrive. He explains how he first got into musical theater and describes how the art helped him get out of his shell. He describes using acting techniques to manifest and discusses the relationship between acting and authenticity. Darrell also elaborates on uses for acting beyond TV and theater, highlights why it is an integral part of the human experience, and reveals why marketing is a form of acting. This week on The Mindset Zone: * Thriving through loss * How Darrell first got into musical theater * The relationship between acting and authenticity * Acting in different modalities in different situations * Darrell’s thoughts on the “fake it ‘til you make it” adage * Connecting through loss * How acting helps us connect internally and externally * How connecting with the inner self allows people to connect with an audience * The actor’s craft and the importance of articulation * Transforming challenges into strengths and assets * The duality of social life and social networking for business Guest: Darrell Stern is a master storyteller and CEO of Stern Inbound Marketing Agency, the world’s leading video-driven content marketing agency. Darrell has over 30 years of experience in digital marketing and is renowned worldwide as a “Digital Marketing Jedi.” By offering marketing methodologies and techniques at the Stern Marketing Academy, he helps others elevate their businesses. Darrell holds a Bachelor’s in Theater Arts from Drew University and a Master’s in Communication Arts from Montclair State University. Connect with Darrell Stern: * Stern Marketing * Stern Marketing Academy * Stern Marketing on LinkedIn * Stern Marketing Academy on Facebook * Darrell Stern on LinkedIn * Darrell Stern on Instagram * Darrell Stern on Twitter Expand What’s Possible

“It’s a miracle that we are here—that we are curious beings who want to learn and expand possibilities for ourselves, for the ones around us, for the world, and for the universe.” – Ana Melikian When you were a child, did you get a chance to write a message on a piece of paper, put it into a bottle, and throw it into the ocean or a big river? Now, imagine doing that again, but this time, instead of throwing it into an expansive body of water, you throw it up to space, where future generations of space-faring humans—or even other intelligent life forms—can read your message. If you had that chance to send a message that would outlast you to a future generation you’d never meet, what would you write? In this episode, I discuss LifeShip’s mission to launch DNA to the moon. I share the message I would write to the universe, given the chance. I also highlight why exploring the vast universe inside our being is as important and valuable as exploring the universe beyond Earth. This week on The Mindset Zone: * LifeShip’s mission to launch DNA to the moon * Why send our DNA to the moon? * The message I’d want to send out to the universe Resources Mentioned: * MagicMind.co | Discount Code: MINDZONE20 * LifeShip * Ben Haldeman Expand What’s Possible

“If you can see the space between stimulus and response, you start having the power to choose your response. This is the core of self-leadership and your self-development” – Ana Melikian What is the difference between a stressor and a stress response? The answer—that the stressor is what triggers the stress response—may be simple and obvious, but it isn’t something apparent to us when we’re in a stressful situation ourselves. Sometimes, we even deal with the stressor but forgo dealing with the stress response and get stuck in a never-ending stress cycle. Understanding the difference between a stressor and a stress response and widening the space between the two can help unlock better possibilities for us—and improve our well-being. In this episode, I highlight the difference between stressors and stress responses and dissect an excerpt from the book, Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. I outline everyday examples of stress triggers and describe our tendency to carry our stress response beyond the situation. I also explain how physical activity can help us complete our stress response without getting stuck in the stress cycle and underscore how practicing the Pause principle allows us to see and widen the space between stressor and stress response. This week on The Mindset Zone: * An excerpt from Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle * The difference between stress and stressors * Everyday stressors and our tendency to carry our stress response throughout an entire day * What creates the cycle of chronic stress in our lives * Completing our stress response without getting stuck in the stress cycle * Reflections on burnout * The evolutionary history behind stress response * Seeing the space between stressor and stress response * The PIE method and practicing the art of the Pause Resources Mentioned: * Magic Mind at magicmind.co/mindsetzone | Coupon code: MINDZONE20 * Book: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski Ph.D. and Amelia Nagoski DMA * Book: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle (Audible) by Emily Nagoski Ph.D. and Amelia Nagoski DMA Expand What’s Possible

“We can certainly learn how to be more efficient, how to be high-performance, how to make a bigger positive impact, and still have the energy to enjoy the fruits of our labor—and that is really important.” – Ana Melikian Have you checked in with yourself to see if you’re exhausted at work? Have you asked yourself recently what burnout is? I’ve noticed that whenever I tell people I’ve been focusing on burnout—especially in the context of making a positive impact in the world while avoiding burnout—the immediate response I almost always get is “Oh, that’s important work,” or “We need that.” I am yet to find a person who asks me, “What is burnout?” I assume that most people have an intuitive feeling of what burnout is—which makes it more important to define. When we understand it and its nuances better, we can help people avoid its extremes. In this episode, I share my reflections about burnout. I define burnout and outline its three dimensions according to the World Health Organization. I describe typical burnout profiles. I also discuss what we can learn from the “frog in a pot” myth, share my personal experience with burnout, and underscore how it’s possible to do good work and positively impact the world while preventing stress and burnout. This week on The Mindset Zone: * What is burnout? * Current research on burnout * Seeing burnout through a systemic perspective * Energy depletion and exhaustion * Increased mental disconnect from one’s job and feelings of cynicism at work * Reducing professional efficacy * Measuring burnout and your burnout profile * How being deeply connected to our work can lead to overexertion and overwork * The burnout profile I personally have fallen into * Gradual stress and why we tend to burn out without realizing it * My experience with burnout and cancer * The impact of chronic stress on our health and well-being * Burnout red flags to watch out for * My mission to help us engage with our impact while avoiding burnout Resources Mentioned: * Book: The Burnout Challenge: Managing People’s Relationships with Their Jobs by Christina Maslach Expand What’s Possible

“We need to up our game, think differently, and expand our horizons. Elevating our consciousness and becoming better humans, loving more, taking care of our environment—that’s what represents the best you.” – Bernardo Moya Bernardo joins me today to discuss his journey toward self-development. He explains how wanting to improve his communication and sales skills led him to the world of personal development. He describes what drove him to eventually seek personal development beyond its applications to sales and entrepreneurship. Bernardo also shares the books that have had the most significant impact on him and his journey and highlights how we can continue improving ourselves in an increasingly fast-paced, technologically advanced world. This week on The Mindset Zone: * How Bernardo realized the importance of personal development * Exploring personal development beyond its application in sales and business * How reading Change Your Life in Seven Days by Paul McKenna impacted Bernardo * The secrets of personal development success * How Bernardo dealt with failure before he practiced self-development * The ethos behind the Best You Expo * NLP and the power of words and gratitude * The multimedia format of the Best You brand * Staying the course with self-development amid an accelerated world Guest: Bernardo Moya is a mentor, coach, speaker, and entrepreneur. He is the founder of The Best You, a multimedia platform including the Best You EXPO, The Best You Magazine, The Best You TV, The Best You Online, and more. The Best You is an enterprise dedicated to providing people with the skills, tools, knowledge, and wisdom necessary to improve their lives and achieve their dreams. Bernardo is also the best-selling author of The Question and Man Evolving. In addition to his work with The Best You, Bernardo is also a licensed NLP Trainer and serves as the CEO of NLP Life Ltd. Connect with Bernardo Moya: * The Best You * The Best You Expo * Bernardo Moya Website * Book: The Question: Find Your True Purpose * Book: A Man Evolving: Confessions about monogamy, passion and broken hearts.

“Learning to tap into human potential by working smarter and not harder allowed me to achieve my goals without waking up tired every day. I could enjoy life and my family—travel and exercise more.” – Ana Melikian In this episode, I join Jenny Lynne at the Death of a Workaholic podcast to discuss unlocking human potential by working smarter—not harder. We explore my journey with dyslexia and how my relationship with work was shaped when I was around nine years old. We discuss the pivotal moment that woke me up to the necessity of shifting my relationship with work. We also highlight how having clarity of priorities makes it easier to say “yes” and “no” and underscore the power of taking pauses. This episode was rebroadcast here at the Mindset Zone with explicit consent from Jenny Lynne Erickson, the host of The Death of a Workaholic podcast. This week on The Mindset Zone: * Working hard at nine years old * How having dyslexia led me to develop a work ethic I’m proud of * How my relationship with work showed up in my career later in life * My diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer * How I learned to work smarter and not harder * Making peace with saying “no” * Human compassion and how people supported me while I sought treatment for cancer * Slipping back into old habits and looking at human potential from a different perspective * The Eisenhower Matrix and how I started working smarter * The importance and power of taking pauses * What micropauses are and how they help us reevaluate everything in our lives * Tricks to integrating micropauses in our daily lives * My definition of success Our Favorite Quotes: * “Sometimes, it can be hard to recognize the deposits you’ve made over the years of working hard and that you can ask for something in return.” – Jenny Lynne Erickson * “The thing about situations like a cancer diagnosis or a divorce is that, suddenly, priorities become very clear, and what we say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to becomes easier because of that clarity.” – Ana Melikian * “ ‘Between stimulus and response is the space where we have the power to choose our response, and in our response lies our growth and freedom.’ But for us to see that space, we have to learn how to press the pause button.” – Ana Melikian Resources Mentioned: * Original Episode: Death of a Workaholic Podcast Episode 06 – Work Smarter, Not Harder – Ana Melikian * Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey * Book:

“It takes a team, a village, a nation to move this needle of building more housing and getting individuals out of homeless shelters into stable housing.” – Jenna Juniper Jenna joins me today to discuss the personal experiences that led her to work in—and advocate for—affordable housing. She describes how having access to housing enabled her to turn her life around. She explains how the pandemic has affected the cost of living and what it will take to expand affordable housing. She also highlights how volunteers, advocates, and housing workers can better help vulnerable people by taking care of their own well-being and underscores how moments of pause and reprieve can help vulnerable people unlock their potential. This week on The Mindset Zone: * Jenna’s story, mission to end homelessness, and passion for expanding affordable housing * The role of inner work in unlocking human potential * Humans as connecting and collaborative beings * Evolving the conversations around homelessness and affordable housing * Why basic needs like housing are critical to doing inner work and unlocking human potential * Ana’s PIE method and why moments of pause are critical to vulnerable people * Why helpers, volunteers, and advocates need to also take care of themselves as they help others Guest: Jenna Juniper is a national speaker and housing consultant. She is the President and CEO of the Housing Consultants of America, an organization of affordable housing consultants, auditors, and trainers. Over her 16-year career, Jenna has successfully partnered developers with nonprofits, implementing and sustaining critical and supportive services on low-income properties across the nation. Before her role as President and CEO at the Housing Consultants of America, Jenna worked as the Director of Compliance & Hearing Officer at Gorman & Company. She graduated from DeVry University with a Bachelor’s in Computer & Information Systems and holds over a dozen affordable housing designations, including the HOME Compliance Specialist designation issued by the National Center for Housing Management. Connect with Jenna Juniper: * Housing Consultants of America * Housing Consultants of America, LLC on LinkedIn * Housing Consultants of America, LLC on Instagram * Housing Consultants of America, LLC on Facebook * Jenna Juniper on LinkedIn * Jenna Juniper on Instagram

“Wine, when aged, is way more expensive. We value antiques because they represent a different age and tell a different story. Why don’t we apply the same thing to people?” – Phyllis Ayman Phyllis joins me today to discuss how we can shift the conversation around aging. She describes life and aging as the stages of a play and outlines limiting beliefs related to aging and ageism. She explains why it’s the responsibility of older people to embrace strategies that allow them to age gracefully and vibrantly and how intellectual stimulation and social connection help avoid cognitive decline. Phyllis also highlights the importance of bridging the connection between younger and older generations and underscores the value of lived experience. This week on The Mindset Zone: * Phyllis’ mindset about aging * How colleges around the country are building bridges between older and younger people * The “Sandwich” generation * What ignited Phyllis’ advocacy work on aging and elder care * Why older people don’t receive the care they deserve * The importance of sleep in cognitive health * How taking care of our bodies in a holistic way can prevent cognitive decline * The role of mindset in changing the culture and conversations around aging Guest: Phyllis Ayman is an ambassador for Conscious Aging Life Management. She is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of several books, including Overdue: Quality Care for Our Elder Citizens, which became a #1 New Release on Amazon. Phyllis is also a speech and language pathologist with over 40 years of experience working with families in long-term care. Phyllis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Emerson College and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. In addition to her work, Phyllis serves as a committee member of the UN NGO Committee on Aging and is a board member of the Massachusetts Advocates for Nursing Home Reform. Connect with Phyllis Ayman: * Phyllis Ayman Associates * Podcast: Seniors STRAIGHT Talk * Book: Overdue: Quality Care for Our Elder Citizens * Phyllis Ayman on LinkedIn * Phyllis Ayman on Instagram * Phyllis Ayman on Facebook