MindHack Podcast

Cody McLain

MindHack is a podcast by Cody McLain that seeks to break down the routines, habits, mindset, and ideologies of successful people, scientific studies, and popular books. This is a self-help podcast dedicating to finding out the keys to success, happiness, and limitless productivity.

  • 1 hour 14 minutes
    #102 Jeff Burningham - AI Is a Mirror — Not the Enemy

    What if artificial intelligence isn't our biggest threat but our clearest reflection? In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, entrepreneur and venture capitalist Jeff Burningham, author of ā€œThe Last Book Written by a Human,ā€ joins host Cody McLain to explore how AI mirrors our own consciousness, habits, and hidden fears.

    Discover why chasing success can feel hollow, why wisdom instead of intelligence will define our future, and how we can become more human in the age of machines.

    ā„¹ļø About the Guest

    Jeff Burningham has spent his career investing in the future by launching businesses, backing entrepreneurs, and helping shape industries. But as artificial intelligence reshapes the world at unprecedented speed, he is asking a bigger question: What kind of future are we actually building?

    His journey has taken him from boardrooms to political campaigns, and from the highs of entrepreneurial success to the depths of personal transformation. As a former Bishop leading a congregation of over 500 people, Jeff brings the heart of a spiritual leader to every arena he enters, whether in business, politics, or family life as a devoted husband, father of four, and proud grandfather.

    His book, The Last Book Written by a Human, is a deeply personal exploration of the choices we face in the age of AI, as well as an invitation to embrace wisdom, connection, and real human evolution.

    • Ā Built and invested in hundreds of tech companies
    • Ā Ran for Governor of Utah, challenging the political status quo
    • Explored consciousness, transformation, and the limits of human potential
    • Advocates for a new way forward in a world increasingly shaped by AI

    Jeff isn’t here to predict the future. He’s here to help shape it. And he believes that work starts with all of us.

    šŸ‘Øā€šŸ’» People & Other Mentions

    • John Huntsman Jr. — Former Governor of Utah and U.S. Ambassador
    • Sally Burningham — Jeff Burningham’s wife, mentioned in personal context
    • Albert Einstein — Referenced for his quote about the universe being friendly
    • Mother Teresa — Referenced as an example of an ā€œanomalyā€ or exceptional human being
    • Mahatma Gandhi — Referenced as an example of a moral and spiritual leader
    • Jesus Christ — Referenced as a symbol of love, transformation, and spiritual guidance
    • Eckhart Tolle — Author of A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose and The Power of Now


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    3 November 2025, 4:00 pm
  • 1 hour 8 minutes
    #101 Anthony Abbagnano: The Illness That Sparked a Global Breathwork Revolution

    When life brought him to the edge of death, Anthony Abbagnano discovered something extraordinary — the hidden power of breath.

    From total physical collapse to becoming a global transformation leader, Anthony’s story reveals how conscious breathing can unlock healing, restore balance, and help us reconnect to who we truly are. As the founder of Alchemy of Breath and author of Outer Chaos, Inner Calm, he has inspired thousands around the world to overcome trauma, anxiety, and emotional pain through the simple act of mindful breathing.

    In this powerful episode, Anthony shares how one breath can shift your entire reality. Learn how breathwork rewires the nervous system, releases buried emotion, and creates calm within the chaos of modern life.

    ā„¹ļø About the Guest

    Anthony Abbagnano is a pioneering breathwork expert and founder of Alchemy of Breath, the world's top-rated breathwork institute. He has helped thousands transform their lives through free weekly Breathe The World sessions, Facilitator Training, and BreathCamp retreats at ASHA in Tuscany, Italy. Learn more at www.alchemyofbreath.com and buy Anthony's book at https://iam.alchemyofbreath.com/book-podcast.

    šŸ‘Øā€šŸ’» People & Other Mentions

    • Anthony Abbagnano – Founder of Alchemy of Breath and Alchemy School of Healing Arts (ASHA); author of Outer Chaos, Inner Calm
    • Cody McLain – Host of the Mind Hack Podcast; author of From Foster Care to Millionaire: A Young Entrepreneur’s Journey of Success, Failure, and Triumph
    • Deepak Chopra – Spiritual teacher and author of The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
    • Wim Hof – Creator of the Wim Hof Method; author of The Wim Hof Method: Activate Your Full Human Potential
    • Joseph Campbell – Mythologist and author of The Hero with a Thousand Faces
    • Peter A. Levine – Psychologist and trauma expert; author of Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma
    • Marianne Williamson – Spiritual leader and author of A Return to Love
    • Dr. Hale (Montreal) – Mentioned in relation to coherence breath and trauma healing (no verified public profile found)

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    20 October 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    #100 - Dr. Kelly Sullivan Walden - Dream Hacks: How ā€œDream Manifesting (Dreamifesting)ā€ Unlocks Your Subconscious Superpower

    Stop forcing your way through life when your dreams are literally trying to solve your biggest problems. Dr. Kelly Sullivan Walden, renowned dream expert and author of "Dream Manifesting," reveals the science behind accessing your subconscious power.

    Learn the Harvard-backed research showing how dream attention improves life navigation and decision-making confidence. Discover how dreams provide perspectives your logical mind would never consider, helping process trauma while revealing creative solutions.

    Master science-supported protocols including the 5-minute daily practice (1 minute pre-sleep intention setting, 5 minutes morning dream capture) and the JET SET dream interpretation formula. Learn techniques for identifying ego versus soul goals and transforming dream insights into real-world action.

    From Thomas Edison's light bulb breakthrough dream to Einstein's physics-shaping childhood vision, plus modern cases of dreams solving murders and guiding major life decisions.

    ā„¹ļø About the Guest

    Kelly Sullivan Walden is a certified clinical hypnotherapist and bestselling author known as "Doctor Dream." Her book Dreamifesting: Harnessing the Power of Your Dreams to Create the Life You Desire was released on September 30, 2025. She holds a masters and doctorate in ministry from The New Seminary in New York and is certified through the American Hypnosis Association. Kelly is an active member of the International Association for the Study of Dreams and her social media handle is @kellyswalden. Book launch bonus gifts are available for a limited time (with purchase of a book) at: www.Dreamifesting.com.

    • Website
    • Instagram & Tiktok: @KellySWalden
    • Facebook: @KellySullivanWaldenDreams
    • LinkedIn

    šŸ‘Øā€šŸ’» People & Other Mentions


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    6 October 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    #099 - Dr. Carey Heller - The Productivity Gap: Go from Knowing to Doing

    Ever feel stuck in the gap between a great idea and actually getting it done? Licensed psychologist and executive function coach Dr. Carey Heller joins us to reveal how to master your workflow by spotting executive dysfunction and installing the right systems. Ā 

    Dr. Heller shares unique, actionable strategies, from using AI to break down overwhelming projects to leveraging physical movement for better focus and why the phrase "action precedes motivation" is the ultimate mindset shift. We also explore the importance of active recovery over passive rest and how to create lasting boundaries between your work and personal life. Ā 

    This episode is a practical guide for turning your intentions into repeatable, lasting habits.

    ā„¹ļø About the Guest

    Dr. Carey Heller is a licensed psychologist and co-founder of Heller Psychology Group, based in Bethesda, Maryland, specializing in ADHD and executive function challenges in children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Heller also runs an executive functioning boot camp program and can see clients virtually in 42 states. Dr Heller really focuses on helping people to be more efficient, better organized, productive, and happier as well as less stressed. In addition to Dr. Heller’s work with his practice, he volunteers his time in a variety of ways. Specifically, he serves as the Montgomery County, MD CHADD chapter coordinator and is on the National CHADD board. He also supervises graduate students conducting testing at The George Washington University. Furthermore, Dr. Heller loves to write, has published a few books, and numerous articles, especially in Attention Magazine and Washington Parent Magazine.

    šŸ‘Øā€šŸ’» People & Other Mentions

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    22 September 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    #098 - Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary - The Mind-Bending Truth About Your Anxiety

    Stop fighting your anxiety. It's not the enemy. My guest, Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, explains the mind-bending truth that anxiety is a powerful evolutionary tool for focus and growth.

    She details the critical difference between a feeling of anxiety and a clinical disorder. We discuss how to develop 'anti-fragility' by embracing discomfort and leveraging it for personal progress. You'll learn science-backed frameworks, including the 'Three L's' (Listen, Leverage, Let Go) and a simple worry-scheduling technique to regain control of your emotions.

    This conversation will fundamentally change the way you view your emotions and provide actionable tools to transform your relationship with anxiety. Listen now to discover how to turn your biggest fear into your greatest tool.

    ā„¹ļø About the Guest

    Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary is a renowned neuroscientist, psychologist, and the co-founder of Arcade Therapeutics, a company that creates game-based mental health interventions. She is the author of the groundbreaking book Future Tense: Why Anxiety is Good for You (Even Though it Feels Bad), which argues for the radical idea that anxiety is a functional human emotion that can be leveraged as a tool for personal growth. In addition to her extensive research and publications, she is a sought-after expert for media commentary and public speaking.

    šŸ‘Øā€šŸ’» People & Other Mentions

    • David Goggins - Former Navy SEAL known for extreme physical and mental challenges
    • Viktor Frankl - Psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor who wrote "Man's Search for Meaning"
    • SĆøren Kierkegaard - Danish philosopher who wrote extensively about anxiety
    • Wendell Berry - Author of "Life is a Miracle" and essayist on technology's impact on humanity
    • Tim Ferriss - Author of "The Four Hour Workweek" and lifestyle design pioneer
    • Chris Beavers - UT Austin researcher studying depression interventions
    • Nassim Nicholas Taleb - Introduced concept of "anti-fragility"
    • Charles Darwin - Evolutionary theorist who wrote about emotions in humans and animals


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    25 August 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 1 hour 32 minutes
    #097 - Dr. Daniel Yon - Hallucinating Reality: Your Brain’s Greatest Trick

    Ever wondered if your brain is fooling you into seeing the world differently? Dr. Daniel Yon, a cognitive neuroscientist, reveals how your brain doesn’t just observe reality—it actively creates it.

    Explore how your mind constructs its own version of reality through predictive models, and why you might be "hallucinating" your experiences without even knowing it. Dr. Yon dives into how we can reshape our mental models to thrive in a world full of uncertainty.

    Don’t miss out on this eye-opening conversation that will completely shift your perspective on perception, belief, and personal growth.

    Tune in to unlock the secrets your brain is hiding from you!

    ā„¹ļø About the Guest

    Dr. Daniel Yon is a cognitive neuroscientist and the author of A Trick of the Mind, a groundbreaking book that explores how our brains actively invent the reality we experience. His work sheds new light on how we perceive the world, challenging conventional views of perception. Dr. Yon is also the director of The Uncertainty Lab, where his team investigates how the brain handles uncertainty and adapts to an unpredictable world.

    šŸ‘Øā€šŸ’» People & Other Mentions

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    18 August 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 1 hour 28 minutes
    #096 - Brian Sachetta - Engineer Your Calm: Debugging Mental Loops

    MindHack's Latest Code Drop: We unpack a groundbreaking approach to mental wellness with former software engineer and author, Brian Sachetta. Brian reveals how to 'debug' your mind, treating anxious thought loops and mental overwhelm like 'rogue software' that can be systematically reprogrammed. Ā 

    Discover his powerful IRA framework: Interrupt, Reframe, Anchor, a concrete algorithm to halt anxiety spirals and transform stress into 'rocket fuel' for enhanced performance. Learn actionable strategies to optimize your mental operating system, tackle imposter syndrome, and cultivate profound resilience. Ā 

    Tune in to engineer your calm and unlock a sharper, more focused mindset.

    ā„¹ļø About the Guest

    Brian Sachetta, the visionary former software engineer and founder of Get Out Of Your Head. Brian uniquely applies tech-inspired solutions to mental wellness, helping us debug our minds. His powerful books, including 'Get Out of Your Head: A Toolkit for Living with and Overcoming Anxiety' and 'Navigating the Abyss of Depression,' offer concrete strategies to reprogram anxious thought loops and cultivate profound resilience.

    šŸ‘Øā€šŸ’» People & Other Mentions

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    11 August 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 59 minutes 17 seconds
    #095 - Taylor Scott - Lead with Heart: The Humanity Hack

    Uncover the game-changing "Humanity Hack" for transformative leadership. Taylor Scott, a hospitality pioneer, reveals how cultivating psychological safety and deep emotional connection is the scientific blueprint for peak performance and a thriving workplace culture. Ā 

    Learn how generosity inspires genuine connection, ignites motivation, and empowers your team to excel. We delve into practical strategies to foster a "learn-it-all" mindset and transform feedback from a dreaded monologue into an empowering dialogue. Discover the profound impact of humanness in leadership, drawing on insights like the "Rider and Elephant" metaphor and the "Three Cs of Compassionate Teams" (Choice, Competence, Community). Ā 

    Tune in to master these principles and build a magnetic environment where everyone thrives. This episode is your essential guide to leading in the new era.

    ā„¹ļø About the Guest

    Taylor Scott, a visionary hospitality pioneer and bestselling author. You can find his transformative insights on Instagram at @TScott502 and on LinkedIn as Taylor Scott, Lead with Hospitality LLC. His latest book, Give Hospitality, offers a compelling story that reveals how a spirit of generosity can inspire genuine connection and transform any environment. Having shaped cultures at industry giants like Disney Parks, Taylor truly understands what it takes to lead with heart.

    • Website: leadwithhospitality.com Ā 
    • Instagram: @tscott1502 Ā 
    • LinkedIn: Taylor Scott, Lead with Hospitality LLCĀ 

    šŸ‘Øā€šŸ’» People & Other Mentions

    • Taylor Scott - Hospitality pioneer, bestselling author of Give Hospitality and Lead with Hospitality, and leadership expert. (leadwithhospitality.com) Ā 
    • Cody McLean - Host of the Mind Hack Podcast. (No specific personal link in research) Ā 
    • Chip and Dan Heath - Bestselling authors of Switch: How to Change When Change Is Hard and The Power of Moments: Why Some Moments Are More Extraordinary Than Others. (heathbrothers.com) Ā 
    • Jonathan Haidt - NYU psychologist and author of The Happiness Hypothesis, known for the "Rider and Elephant" metaphor. (jonathanhaidt.com) Ā 
    • John Maxwell - Renowned thought leader and author on leadership. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._Maxwell)
    • Maya Angelou - Acclaimed American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist, known for the quote "People don't remember what you say, they remember how you made them feel." (mayaangelou.com) Ā 
    • Satya Nadella - Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, credited with shifting its culture to a "learn-it-all" mindset. ((https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satya_Nadella))
    • Bill Gates - Co-founder of Microsoft and philanthropist. (gatesfoundation.org)
    • Steve Ballmer - Former CEO of Microsoft and owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. (ballmergroup.org/person/steve-ballmer/)
    • Edward Deci and Richard Ryan - Psychologists who developed the Self-Determination Theory, focusing on autonomy, competence, and relatedness. (selfdeterminationtheory.org) Ā 

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    28 July 2025, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 15 minutes
    #094 - Sƶnke Ahrens - AI-Proof Your Brain: Smart Notes Strategy

    The future of original thought is now. In an AI-driven world, how do you ensure your ideas remain uniquely yours? Dr. Sönke Ahrens, author of How to Take Smart Notes and creator of the accompanying online course How To Take Smart Notes with Obsidian, unveils the Zettelkasten method: a revolutionary "smart notes" strategy to AI-proof your brain.  

    Discover how this system acts as your personal dialogue partner, transforming how you learn, think, and write. Dr. Ahrens reveals actionable insights to conquer information overload, beat writer's block, and spark groundbreaking ideas. Learn to build a robust "scaffold of understanding" for peak cognitive performance. Don't miss this essential guide to mastering external thinking.Ā 

    ā„¹ļø About the Guest

    Dr. Sönke Ahrens, a distinguished social scientist, educator, and author of the groundbreaking bestseller, How to Take Smart Notes. His book, which introduced the powerful Zettelkasten Method of Personal Knowledge Management to over 100,000 readers worldwide, fundamentally challenges traditional views on how individuals learn, think, and write, arguing that writing is not just a way to document thoughts, but the very act of thinking itself. 

    šŸ‘Øā€šŸ’» People & Other Mentions

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    16 July 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
    #093 Dr. Corey Wilks - The Psychology Secret: How Fear Kills Dreams & What to Do About It

    Discover the psychology behind entrepreneurial success with Dr. Corey Wilks, a clinical psychologist turned executive coach who transforms high-achieving entrepreneurs trapped in 'lucrative misery.' From growing up in rural Appalachia on food stamps to coaching VC-backed founders, Corey reveals why most entrepreneurs self-sabotage, how to break free from waiting for permission, and the revolutionary approach to conquering procrastination that has nothing to do with time management.

    ā„¹ļø About the Guest

    Dr. Corey Wilks, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and executive coach who helps entrepreneurs and creators overcome imposter syndrome, burnout, and self-sabotage. He earned his Doctor of Psychology from Marshall University and practiced therapy in rural Appalachia before shifting into coaching in 2020. In 2020, he founded Creator Alchemy, a community offering group coaching and resources for values-driven business growth. Outside of work, he enjoys Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Dungeons & Dragons, and life in Austin, Texas

    šŸ‘Øā€šŸ’» People & Other Mentions


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    6 July 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 1 hour 13 minutes
    #092 - Dr. Neil Paulvin - Biohacking Hype vs. Truth

    Is your quest for peak performance lost in a sea of biohacking fads and conflicting advice? In a world saturated with quick fixes and miracle cures, discerning genuine science from fleeting trends can feel like navigating a minefield. Many embark on their optimization journey armed with popular advice, only to find themselves investing time, energy, and resources into strategies that yield minimal returns or, worse, prove counterproductive. The allure of the "next big thing" often overshadows the foundational pillars of true health and vitality, leaving many feeling frustrated and no closer to their goals.

    Enter Dr. Neil Paulvin, a renowned physician specializing in human performance and longevity for high-achievers, from CEOs to elite athletes. In this eye-opening episode of MindHack, Dr. Paulvin joins us to dismantle the myths and cut through the noise. He provides a masterclass in true health optimization, revealing which popular biohacks stand up to scientific scrutiny and which are merely hype. If you're ready to move beyond the fads and build a resilient foundation for lasting peak performance, this conversation is your tactical blueprint.

    ā„¹ļø About the Guest

    Dr. Neil Paulvin is a leading physician in longevity and human performance. He works with CEOs, Fortune 500 executives, and professional athletes to help them achieve peak physical and mental output. Dr. Paulvin focuses on a comprehensive, science-backed approach, integrating foundational health principles with cutting-edge advanced therapies, always emphasizing personalized protocols based on in-depth biomarker analysis and individual goals. Ā 

    šŸ‘Øā€šŸ’» People & Other Mentions

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    9 June 2025, 2:00 pm
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