Small Changes Big Shifts – Details, episodes & analysis

Are you ready to step into a legacy of kindness and impact? Nick Marino Jr.’s story is a testament to the power of small acts that ripple into big changes. From his transformative mission trip to the Dominican Republic, where he first witnessed the stark reality of hunger, to launching initiatives like Feed the City, Nick has embraced a life fueled by service and compassion. He reminds us that true kindness isn’t about grand gestures but the little things—listening, holding a door, offering a smile—that uplift others. Let Nick's journey inspire you to trust your instincts and start making your own impact today.

About the Guest: 

Nick Marino Jr. has united thousands of people through Tango Charities, which he founded to produce the event Feed The City—one of the most inclusive and diverse volunteering initiatives. His efforts have led to over 1,600 events in 5 countries, 14 states, and 67 cities, involving more than 100,000 volunteers and providing over 7 million meals to those in need.

In August 2024, Nick joined the Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) to lead the Center for Business Impact, helping businesses maximize their social impact through grantmaking, volunteer opportunities, and corporate responsibility programs. Previously, Nick co-founded Revolving Mind, a Dallas-based marketing agency, and served as Senior Director of Marketing at Curis Functional Health, recognized on the Inc. 5000 list.

Nick’s contributions earned him the 2023 NCAA Legends and Legacy Community Award and the 2024 Marketing Maverick Award. In 2025, he’ll release a children's book series, "Nico Makes A Difference," to empower young kids to make a positive impact.

Nick is married to Amber, and they are expecting their first child in October 2024, joining their Goldendoodle, Nala. His purpose is to create pathways for people to live with purpose and kindness, leaving a lasting legacy of compassion.

Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:
https://smallchangesbigshifts.com

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts

https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts

https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco

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Imagine how a simple act of kindness can ripple through time, changing lives in ways you never expected.

Every small act of kindness creates a ripple, and Paula reminds us of its immense power to transform lives. She shares a heartfelt story about how her mother's simple gesture of kindness toward a shunned family impacted not just that family, but also an entire community over time. Paula’s work with the Live Happy Now podcast and her commitment to spreading happiness shows that kindness isn’t just a lofty ideal—it's an actionable practice that anyone can incorporate into their lives. By setting simple intentions each day, like kindness, we can lift ourselves and those around us, even in the most unexpected ways. So, what’s stopping you from spreading kindness today? You never know whose life you’ll change, including your own.

About the Guest:

Paula Felps is a freelance writer, author, and host of the weekly Live Happy Now podcast, where she interviews psychologists, scientists, authors, and other experts to help listeners better understand the connection between our daily practices and our personal well-being. On her monthly On a Positive Note podcast, Paula explores how music can lift our spirits, heal our hearts, and improve our mental health. She is a big fan of music, nature, and animals, and loves making people laugh.

Website: https://livehappy.com/

Socials: https://www.facebook.com/livehappy | https://www.instagram.com/mylivehappy/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/live-happy/

Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:
https://smallchangesbigshifts.com

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts

https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts

https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco

Thanks for listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review
Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Daneen West is a Cisco Customer Success Executive, mother of three, and Brain Health Coach.

For the past 21 years, Daneen has worked for Cisco Systems, designing, and leading industry award-winning talent development programs 

After years of being on the verge of burnout, she is professionally more resilient, energized, and mentally sharp than decades earlier because of discovering brain health, where all the power is to up-level your life.

Certified through the NeuroLeadership Institute and Amen Clinics, Brain Health has transformed every area of Daneen’s life, and she is compelled to provide the opportunity for others to ease anxiety, boost focus and finally work on their sleep struggles.

Daneen’s Brain-Boosting checklist is a great resource to discover practical tips to heal, protect and grow the brain (See below).

Memorable Quotes:

• “So as parents, if we have that intuition like that, something's wrong, check it out. And if the first doctor may not, if you don't resonate there, you're not being heard. Keep pursuing it.”
• “It's not a badge of honor to stay up all night. Right. Our culture sometimes will make you feel that way or sleep when you're dead. But there's so much that we've learned now around sleep. That’s because it is the only way that our brain detoxes every night.”
• “As you're walking through this journey, you're going to come across ideas, thoughts, music, books, people and they're going to feel right or they're not. I'm going to encourage you to trust yourself. Just because it works for me doesn't mean it works for you.”
• “What makes the brain work is what you put in your mind, what you put on your body, what you put in your mouth.”

What You’ll Learn:

Why brain health is important and how to pursue a healthy brain through small lifestyle changes.

This Episode Includes:

• Daneen first started looking into brain health when three different doctors diagnosed her son with three different issues: sensory processing, ADD, and Asperger's.
• After a long journey of searching, Daneen finally came to the realization that brain health was at the root cause of her son’s health situation.
• Daneen found the Brain Balance Program which revolutionized the way she viewed brain health for herself and her children.
• She believes her health journey is a forever resource which she now shares with others through her coaching program.
• Robin reminds the audience that health is layered and that there are many factors that can influence brain health.
• Daneen shares that the first step to supporting brain health is getting good quality sleep.
• Getting sleep is how the brain detoxifies itself from neurotoxins incurred throughout the day.
• Daneen shares a few more steps to supporting brain health in children like eating enough healthy fats and getting energy out early in the morning through jumping ropes or jumping jacks.
• Sleep is one of Dr. Robin’s three non-negotiables for a well life.
• Daneen encourages parents to model the health behavior the would like to see in their children.
• Daneen and Dr. Robin both agree that small steps are the key to success when pursuing a healthy brain.

Three Takeaways From Today’s Episode:

1. Practice getting good quality sleep each night this week.
2. Add enough healthy fats to your diet to support your energy levels and brain health.
3. Do 50 jumping jacks with your kids before they head off to school in the morning to help them release energy and feel encouraged through exercising together.

Mentioned In The Episode:

• Community America Credit Union
• Advent Health
• Brain Balencing Program
• Mark Nepo
• Unleash the Power of the Female Brain by Dr. Aman
• Bruse on Small Changes Big Shifts
• Brain Boosting Checklist

“Acts of kindness, compassion, humor, contentment – all of these things have a spiraling upward effect that actually creates resilience in people. The more you contribute positively to the world, the more you’re going to be resilient.” - Dr. Roger Hall

Your brain is malleable all the way through life, meaning your brain has the ability to grow and change the more you practice and rehearse a pattern of thinking. In today’s episode, Dr. Michelle Robin welcomes Dr. Roger Hall, who just released his newest book called DIY Brain: The Mindset Makeover Manual for Peak Performance. He shares what inspired him to write this book – including some backstory of how many years ago he started writing it – and what called him to finally publish it this year. Dr. Hall also explains how kindness, compassion, humor, and contentment all have powerful effects on our brain health and why these things help us to become more resilient and creative in the world. By the end of the episode, you will learn a simple exercise on how you can begin thought-monitoring your brain and why the book is a companion when it comes to shifting your thought patterns – and ultimately your life. 

About Today’s Guests: 

Dr. Roger Hall is a business psychologist, author, consultant, and speaker. He has one trick: he trains leaders to monitor and manage their thinking. His clients are entrepreneurs, professionals, and business owners. He has worked with leaders from little companies with a few people all the way up to behemoths that dominate their industries. He helps leaders become better versions of themselves so they can lead their people better. 

Mentioned in the Episode: 

• Staying Happy Being Productive book by Dr. Roger Hall 
• DIY Brain: The Mindset Makeover Manual for Peak Performance book by Dr. Roger Hall 
• Hoffman Institute 
• 31-Day Kindness Campaign – sign up for the free 31 emails on kindness 

“Everywhere you wear this message or carry it, it creates kinder behavior.” - Kris Wittenberg

As we begin our final countdown to launching the 31-Day Kindness Campaign, Dr. Michelle Robin welcomes a very dear and longtime friend to the show, Kris Wittenberg. Kris is the founder of Be Good to People (BGTP), a company that came to be after a negative encounter with a stranger one afternoon in 2008. In today’s episode, Dr. Robin reveals why the Be Good to People Foundation has come on board as the Presenting Sponsor this year for the Kindness Campaign. Giving back has always been at the root of Be Good to People. Since day one, 2% of every BGTP merchandise purchase goes to the Be Good to People Foundation to celebrate other GoodDoersTM and their nonprofits, support kind work in communities, and to build kindness education programs in schools. Also in today’s episode, Dr. Robin and Kris share an important story about how they met, the wellness benefits of kindness, their personal mental health journey, and why being kind has been hard for many people during these times. Kris wraps up the conversation with some advice she would give younger generations about kindness.  

About Today’s Guests: 

In the spring of 2008, Kris Wittenberg was out at lunch in her small town of Eagle, Colorado, when a woman was rude to her. Looking back, she doesn’t retain the exact details, but she does remember what happened that afternoon after the encounter. She came back to her office and wondered why people can’t just be good to people. After creating a t-shirt with the words, “Be Good to People” - the brand was born and quickly gained attention among humanity, even earning two kiosks at the Denver International Airport to remind travelers about being kind and providing an opportunity to purchase some of the gear. 

Mentioned in the Episode: 

• BeGoodToPeople.com 
• Contact Be Good to People about co-branded gear 
• Be Good to People Merchandise 
• BGTPFoundation.org 
• www.BigShifts.org/Kindness - Sign up for the free email series 
• 31 Days of Kindness Decks - for Ages 18 and Up 
• 7 Days of Kindness for Kids Decks – Ages 5 through 18 

Welcome to our Special Topics episode in September, where we invite our sponsors to present unique topics that help listeners build community, boost wellness prevention, and provide educational opportunities to further their well-being.

Today’s Special Topics Episode

Music has been a part of Jana Stanfield’s entire life – ever since she was a little girl when she began learning the piano, but eventually chose guitar. In today’s episode, Jana shares part of her life story that includes the moment she had a wake-up call about her career. She began as a hard news television reporter, but quickly realized the words that were getting people to tune in to the network were only inciting fear. Jana realized it was time for a change, and that going forward she wanted to use her words – combined with her musical gift – to inspire and lift people up. This launched her into a profound speaking and performance career all over the world. Listeners will even get a chance to hear her perform some of her music in today’s episode, and again as one of the speakers at the Living in Vitality annual event by AdventHealth this year.

Later in the show, Dr. Robin welcomes Andrea Toney, who is the Executive Director at the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. Because September is Hunger Action Month, Andrea shares how the YMCA of Greater Kansas City is helping people who are hungry find their next meal. Through their mobile food drive and the development of soon-to-be food pantries at some of the Y locations, this organization is all about finding what the gaps are in our community and filling them through these hunger initiatives. Andrea shares that 1 in 8 people in the Kansas City community are hungry, and 1 in 6 kids don’t even know where their next meal will come from. She goes on to explain why the Y is on a mission to strengthen this community so that kids do better in school and help alleviate the stress many families are feeling from the unprecedented times.

About Today’s Guests:

As a motivational performer, Jana Stanfield combines music with a message that entertains, inspires, and encourages. Her mission is to give organizations a “faith lift” by delivering music, humor, and a message that makes people feel better about who they are, what they do, and why they are doing it. Jana teaches half-day life skills workshops and often delivers the motivational close at conferences and conventions, sending attendees out with a message that is empowering and uplifting. She is a multi-platinum songwriter, and many have heard her songs on the radio, television, and in movies – one even being sung by Reba McEntire. She is the founder of Refugee Film School, and the co-founder of Together We Can Change the World. She now spends her time overseas helping teen refugees.

Andrea Toney is the Executive Director at the Cleaver Family YMCA in the Greater Kansas City area. She has a deep passion for serving and leading others and has been lucky enough to get to do this through the YMCA of Greater Kansas City for the last 20 years. She loves coming together with others in the Kansas City community to serve a need and to be a bright light in their lives. Andrea enjoys spending time with her family, cheering for her kids from the sidelines, and gathering with friends and family.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Unity Church of Overland Park
• Living in Vitality event at AdventHealth – September 30, 2022
• The E Factor: Engage, Energize, Enrich book by Dr. Michelle Robin
• Mobile Food Pantry at the YMCA in Greater Kansas City
• Volunteer at the YMCA in Greater Kansas City
• Donate to the YMCA to help them continue their mission

In 1990, Dr. David Hanscom, a renowned orthopedic surgeon, had his life turned upside down. He began experiencing chronic pain that made him develop 17 symptoms – including OCD, depression, migraine headaches, and many more issues. He shares that his “whole body was lit up” and nobody could help him figure out what was going on. In today's episode, he explains why 90% of symptoms in your body’s physiology (how your body functions and runs), and only 10% of issues are structural. Unfortunately, the medical community tends to treat people backwards by doing structural fixes (i.e. spinal surgery) before treating the physiology, which can end up being more destructive on the body and not what it needs to heal. In 2019, he quit his orthopedic practice to go on a mission full-time to stop the aggressive trend of spinal surgery after years of researching and discovering other profound ways to heal from physical and mental pain. Tune in as he talks about what causes inflammatory markers in our body that lead to many people’s pain problems today.

About Today’s Guests:

Dr. David Hanscom believes that each human being has a deep drive to thrive and give back. This force is frequently compromised by chronic pain, which has been documented to have a similar impact on your quality of life as terminal cancer. Life becomes one of survival. Through his own personal ordeal, he discovered that chronic pain is curable by systematically using established medical practices in a self-directed manner. The key is connecting to your own healing capacity. He is a renowned spinal surgeon of 30 years. His revolutionary approach to treating chronic pain has helped hundreds of patients live pain-free. His pioneering book, Back in Control: A Surgeon’s Roadmap Out of Chronic Pain, showed chronic pain sufferers how to quiet a turbocharged central nervous system, relieve the anxiety and depression that often accompany chronic pain, and make a full recovery. His much-awaited follow-up book, Do You Really Need Spine Surgery? Was later published in 2019. Dr. Hanscom is a frequent guest on TV and radio programs, a regular contributor to Psychology Today, and a sought-after speaker at medical conferences around the world.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• The DOC Journey App
• com
• Do You Really Need Spine Surgery? Take Control with a Surgeon’s Advice by David Hanscom
• Back in Control: A Surgeon’s Roadmap Out of Chronic Pain by David Hanscom

How is mindset connected to chronic pain? Most people describe pain as scary, yet Dr. Jen Esquer and Dr. Dom Fraboni say it’s an incredible cue our body is sending to say we need to shift in the way we’re doing something. In today’s episode, Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom – both physical therapists – explain why many people aren’t getting down to the root causes of their pain and why many treatments are only passive to the body. They unpack some chronic pain myths and provide tips listeners can start doing that more actively (vs. passively) help the body correct itself and reverse the pain. They also share why learning “what to say to the body” is such an important tool and why encouraging fear around movement isn’t the right path toward healing.

About Today’s Guests:

Dr. Jen Esquer is a top-40 physical therapy influencer. With a Doctorate in physical therapy, she is ranked as one of the Best Fitness Trainers on Instagram by Shape Magazine and has been featured in Self Magazine, Men’s Fitness, Muscle and Fitness as well as a select interview guest on CBS and on the RISE podcast with Mogul CEO Rachel Hollis. As a self-proclaimed “mover”, Jen has spent more than 2/3 of her life upside down. She graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology and received her DPT degree from Lomo Linda University. Nowadays, she offers private sports therapy, online programs, workshops, and speaks at global engagements, attracting audiences from stay-at-home moms to Hollywood actors and Olympic athletes. Her mission is to help those who are willing to listen to their body, reverse aging, eliminate pain, and establish sustainable health.

Dr. Domenic Fraboni is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach. He earned this after graduating from Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences in Rochester, Minnesota. He’s an advocate for the advance of the physical therapy profession as well as accessibility to higher quality of care. He loves to focus his efforts on systemic healthcare change. He was an avid coach, unified partner, and volunteer coordinator for the Special Olympics. Today, he coaches clients by working with their mindset, movement, and meals through his company called The Wellness Destination.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Jen Health Platform
• Jen Health on Instagram (@jen.health)
• Find Jen on Instagram (@docjenfit)
• Find Dr. Dom on Instagram (@drdomdpt)
• The Optimal Body Podcast with Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom
• Quadrants of Well-Being
• Wellness on a Shoestring by Dr. Michelle Robin

Between the opioid epidemic and her own life story, Cindy Perlin set out on a journey to help people see a different side of the story behind chronic pain. In today’s episode, Cindy shares how she became suicidal after battling severe chronic back pain for three years, beginning at age 25 – without doctors being able to help her. The change happened when a friend recommended a book about the mind/body connection that changed her life forever. She began healing herself using many of these techniques, leading her to write a book called The Truth About Chronic Pain Treatmentsso that others could follow in her footsteps.

About Today’s Guests:

Cindy Perlin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and certified biofeedback practitioner. She’s been helping people achieve their health and wellness goals for over 25 years. Her practice is located in Delmar, New York, near Albany. She is passionate about the power of biofeedback to heal because of her own journey and became increasingly passionate about helping people when she noticed a rise in opioid overdoses for those trying to manage their pain. She is the author of The Truth About Chronic Pain Treatments: The Best and Worst Strategies for Becoming Pain Free and the creator of the Alternative Pain Treatment Directory.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Alternative Pain Treatment Directory
• Cindy Perlin’s website
• The Truth About Chronic Pain Treatments by Cindy Perlin

“We don’t want stress to go away – we want some stress, we want some challenge, we have a need to grow, but the key is joy. I find it’s less about getting rid of stress, but seeking joy.” - Dr. Heidi Hanna 

Studies show that nearly half of adults in the United States (46.4%) will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. * Other research has also shown that when stress becomes chronic, the risks for mental health problems and other medical problems increase. * Stress levels are beginning to return to pre-pandemic days. However, there is a rise in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which happens when someone has an impact and they aren’t able to get back to where they were before the event. PTSD can contribute to sleep problems, weight problems, brain fog, dementia, and/or anger. In today’s episode, Dr. Heidi Hanna shares what led her down the path to studying brain health and why stress is something we can actually control in our brain. Dr. Hanna reveals her own struggle with anxiety and panic over the years, and what she learned are the five key factors for improving brain health. 

Later in the show, Dr. Michelle Robin welcomes Caleb Brown from CommunityAmerica Credit Union to share why our financial health is just as important as our physical and mental well-being. Because many people experience stress due to debt, Caleb shares options available that can help someone get in control their debt, which can lead to long-lasting happiness, joy, freedom, peace of mind, and many other facets of life. He provides helpful tips to dive into your debt and why that experience will be different for each person. 

*Sources: www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2019/02/5-surprising-mental-health-statistics/; https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/stress  

About Today’s Guests: 

Dr. Heidi Hanna is the Chief Energy Officer of Synergy Brain Fitness, a company providing brain-based health and performance programs to individuals and organizations. She is a New York Times bestselling author of several books, including The Sharp Solution, Stressaholic, and Recharge. As an experienced speaker, Dr. Heidi Hanna has been featured at many national and global conferences, including the Fortune Magazine Most Powerful Women in Business Summit, ESPN Women’s Leadership Summit, and Million Dollar Round Table. 

Caleb Brown is a Financial Relationship Consultant at CommunityAmerica Credit Union. In 2020, Caleb made a big career change, switching his focus from helping people with their physical health to assisting with their financial well-being. He specializes in helping members achieve financial peace of mind by listening, educating, and consulting, to determine the right options to fit their financial needs. He has also led multiple finance-themed seminars, sharing tips on budgeting and credit consultation. 

Mentioned in the Episode: 

• Debt Consolidation Calculator
• CommunityAmerica Credit Union
• Kansas City Pig Rescue
• Living in Vitality event in AdventHealth – September 30, 2022
• Wellness on a Shoestring book
• Heidi Hanna books