Breakfast Leadership Show

How to Navigate Anxiety, Depression, and Relationships: Insights from Emily Barbosa

Emily is a dedicated mental health counseling graduate intern passionate about helping individuals navigate challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship dynamics. Currently pursuing her master’s in rehabilitation and mental health counseling at the University of South Florida, Emily specializes in marriage and family therapy, aiming to empower her clients to achieve healing and growth.
A former collegiate athlete from North Greenville University, Emily retains her love for running, often seen jogging through St. Petersburg, where she cherishes time with friends, family, and her Boston Terrier, Kylo. She shares her expertise at Sunshine City Counseling and extends her reach by offering valuable insights through the Safe Place to Land podcast, providing listeners with mental health advice and support.
Known for her compassionate and approachable demeanor, Emily’s mission is to inspire and guide her clients toward self-understanding and fulfillment, whether in therapy, podcasting, or community engagements. Her dedication leaves a lasting impression on everyone she connects with.
Contact EmilyEmail: emily@sunshinecitycounseling.comWebsite: Sunshine City CounselingInstagram: @thesunshinecity
Emily’s Journey in Mental Health Counseling
Emily’s passion for mental health began in high school, inspiring her to study psychology in college. She is now completing her master’s degree and works with adults in private practice to address anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges. In addition, she’s pursuing certification in marriage and family therapy. She credits her success to the support of mentors and professors who helped her realize her calling.
Career Fulfillment and Growth
In a conversation about career fulfillment, Emily highlighted her perseverance through challenges to achieve her goals and shared her excitement about graduating and pursuing new opportunities. Michael commended her discipline and emphasized the importance of career flexibility, noting the benefits of aligning work with passion and the freedom to adapt paths as needed.
Overcoming Challenges and Staying Motivated
Emily shared her journey of overcoming self-doubt, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and surrounding oneself with supportive people. Both Emily and Michael acknowledged the value of making decisions, taking risks, and embracing the journey of self-discovery, even if it means adjusting direction along the way.
Mindset, Decision-Making, and Personal Fulfillment
Michael and Emily agreed on the importance of mindset and intuition in decision-making. They encouraged prioritizing personal well-being and aligning choices with values rather than societal expectations. Both emphasized that it’s never too late to make changes that lead to personal happiness and fulfillment.

Doug Drysdale - Cybin CEO: Transforming Mental Health Care Through Psychedelic-Based Therapies

Doug Drysdale
Chief Executive Officer
An experienced Corporate Director and CEO: Doug has chaired the board of directors of a NASDAQ-listed company and, as a CEO for the past 12 years, has built and turned around three pharmaceutical companies.
Doug has 30 years of experience in the healthcare sector. During this time, he has formed cohesive management teams, recruited board members, completed 15 corporate acquisitions across three continents, and raised $4 billion in public and private capital.
Led the turnaround of Norwich Pharmaceuticals alongside investors and became the Founding CEO of the parent company, Alvogen Group. During his 5.5-year tenure as CEO, Alvogen grew from inception to $450 million in revenues across 35 countries.
In early 2014, Doug led the recapitalization of NASDAQ-listed Pernix Therapeutics, raising $65 million. Within the first year of taking the helm as Chairman and CEO, Doug rebuilt the management team and board of directors, combined several operating locations, and grew the company’s enterprise value from $80 million to around $800 million. Under Doug’s leadership, Pernix raised $465 million of capital.
From November 2017 to July 2020, Doug was the Director and CEO of Tedor Pharma, a family-owned contract manufacturing business. Doug’s efforts to turn around the industry resulted in 60% revenue growth in 2019, leading to Tedor being recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing companies and making it to the 2020 Inc 5000 list.
Former Head of M&A at Actavis Group, leading 15 corporate acquisitions across three continents between 2004 and 2008, including a high-profile public hostile takeover attempt in Central Eastern Europe. Over this period, Doug raised approximately $3 billion in capital and managed lending syndicates, including 25+ banks, to fund the company’s growth. Actavis was sold to Watson Pharmaceuticals in 2012 for EUR4.25 billion.
Doug holds a bachelor’s degree in Microbial and Molecular Biology from the University of East Anglia in the U.K. and was recognized as Ernst and Young's Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012. He is an enthusiastic traveler, having visited over 45 countries. He is also an avid reader and enjoys cooking and boating.
This video was conducted on behalf of Cybin and was funded by Gold Standard Media LLC and/or affiliates. For our full disclaimer, please visit https://portal.goldstandardir.com/disclaimer/CYBN-183
 https://ir.cybin.com/overview/default.aspxNYSE: CYBN I CBOE: CYBN
 
Addressing Mental Health Challenges
Doug and Michael discussed the challenges and frustrations faced by patients and doctors in dealing with mental health issues, particularly clinical depression. With his background in building drug development companies, Doug highlighted the lack of practical tools for addressing these issues. Michael expressed his interest in innovative solutions to mental health problems, given his personal experience with clinical depression. The conversation was set to be more organic and conversational, with Doug sharing more about his company and their approach to mental health.
Paradigm Shift in Drug Development
Doug expressed his belief that their work has the potential to be a paradigm shift in drug development, moving from daily treatment of symptoms to more interventional therapies that can rapidly fix conditions like depression. He highlighted the promising results from their studies, with patients experiencing benefits lasting at least a year after just a couple of doses. Michael shared his personal experience with depression and burnout, emphasizing the importance of their work in addressing this widespread issue. He also asked Doug about his ability to anticipate future challenges and steps in the approval process for their work.
Drug Development Challenges and Success
Doug discussed the challenges and complexities of drug development, particularly in the mental health sector. He highlighted the team's experience and success in developing treatments, with 60+ INDs and 37 exits. Doug also emphasized the personal motivation of the team members, many of whom have been affected by mental health issues. He acknowledged the regulatory hurdles and administrative complexities involved in drug development but stressed the importance of these steps in creating effective treatments. Michael added that the success of the treatments could also positively impact the revenue of psychiatrists and their practices.
Improving Mental Health Care Efficiency
Doug discussed the potential of a new treatment to improve mental health care. He highlighted that depressed patients require a lot of attention, often visiting their physicians multiple times a year for medication adjustments and dealing with side effects. He also pointed out the shortage of psychiatrists and the long wait times for new patients. Doug suggested that their treatment, which only requires dosing once or twice, could keep patients out of the system for at least a year, freeing up resources for new patients. He also mentioned the potential for interventional psychiatry centers to see more patients if the treatment reduces the required visits.
Mental Health and Metabolic Connection
Michael and Doug discussed the challenges of mental health, particularly financial stress and depression. Michael shared his personal experience of overcoming depression with the help of medication and therapy and expressed his excitement about the potential of innovative work in mental health. Doug emphasized the link between metabolic health and mental health, suggesting that a poor diet can lead to reduced mental function and that mental health issues can affect an individual's metabolic health. Both agreed on the importance of addressing mental health issues to improve overall well-being and happiness.
Phase 3 Program Progress and Strategy
Doug discussed the progress of their phase 3 program, focusing on the challenges and complexities involved, such as drug scheduling and licensing. He expressed optimism about the potential of their treatments, citing their significant effects and the absence of dosing every day in their studies. Doug also outlined their long-term strategy, which includes leveraging their phase 3 approval in depression to treat other conditions and shift from daily chronic dosing to more interventional treatments. He emphasized the potential to break the cycle of polypharmacy and create a platform for various treatments. Michael supported their work and encouraged more people to learn about their efforts.
 

From Tragedy to Triumph: How Roy Snarr Built a 7-Figure Insurance Empire Protecting Families' Financial Futures

Roy is a renowned asset protection expert in the top 1% of finance professionals. 
He has helped thousands of families and entrepreneurs plan their finances to survive market fluctuations, unexpected life events, and other future hardships.      
In the 1990s, when the US stock market crashed and his mother was disabled in an accident, Roy’s family lost their home, savings, and assets. Roy, who was 14 then, realized the power of financial protection, social security, and long-term care. He chose a career as an insurance expert and simplifies complex safe money and consumer protection strategies today. 
Roy has 14 years of insurance experience and has founded industry-leading brands like Roy Snarr Retirement Solutions and Snarr Academy. He is also an international bestselling author of Social Security 101 and Long Term Care.
 
More about Roy:
Featured on NBC, Fox News, CNN, CBS, Nasdaq, and CW. 
Has spoken at major events like MedicareCon and 8% Nation. 
Member of the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table.
Member of the Forbes Finance Council.  
 
To get a sense of Roy, here's an appearance on The Power Players Podcast, where he talks about how he finds—and successfully closes—his most prominent insurance cases. 
https://RoySnarr.com
Entrepreneurial Journey and Insurance Insights
In the meeting, Roy, an entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas, shared his 15-year journey of building a seven-figure insurance agency. He also mentioned his involvement in real estate investing, using income generated from his insurance practice to diversify. Michael, another participant, expressed his admiration for Austin's growth and the potential for insurance services in the booming area. Both participants shared their experiences and insights from their respective entrepreneurial journeys.
Personalized Insurance Planning and Guidance
Michael and Roy discussed the importance of insurance planning, emphasizing that it should be a personalized and robust process, not just a simple online purchase. They highlighted the need to understand individual and business needs and future planning, including end-of-life insurance and funeral expenses. Roy also pointed out the benefits of consulting an agent, as they are compensated directly by the insurance carriers and can provide valuable guidance. The conversation concluded with Michael expressing his interest in hearing more about Roy's journey in building a successful agency.
Roy's Journey in Financial Services
Michael and Roy discussed Roy's journey into the financial services industry despite his lack of prior background. Roy shared his experiences, including his initial struggles and eventual success through grassroots efforts such as door-to-door sales and networking. He also mentioned his move from California to Texas in 2018, where he had to rebuild his network from scratch. Roy expressed his determination and confidence in his ability to succeed in the industry, having done so before.
Building a Successful Insurance Business
Roy shared his journey of building a successful business, starting with a small team and reaching seven figures within the first three years. The company now helps consumers and individual agents, brokers, CPAs, and attorneys with insurance solutions. Roy also discussed the challenges and rewards of the journey, including the need to adapt to market changes and the importance of perseverance. Michael acknowledged Roy's journey and emphasized the importance of resilience in the face of adversity, using the example of the recent California fires as a reminder that things can be rebuilt.
Entrepreneurship Challenges and Financial Stability
Michael and Roy discussed the challenges of entrepreneurship and the importance of financial stability. Michael advised entrepreneurs to consider taking a part-time job to cover their basic needs, allowing them to focus on growing their business. Roy shared his experience of returning to a part-time job in the financial services sector after struggling with his business and working at Volkswagen. He emphasized the importance of having a financial safety net to avoid stress and maintain focus on business growth.
Roy's Entrepreneurial Journey and Perseverance
Roy shared his journey of becoming an entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of self-investment and perseverance. He recounted how he sold his truck and dirt bike to invest in himself and immersed himself in personal development through coaching programs, books, and audio materials. Roy stressed the significance of passion in overcoming challenges and maintaining motivation and how he drew inspiration from successful individuals in his industry. He concluded by encouraging others to persevere and put in the necessary work, as he believes that success is achievable within a 24-hour day.
Scaling Entrepreneurship and Time Management
Michael and Roy discussed the importance of time management and delegation for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses. Roy shared his journey from solo entrepreneurship to building a team, emphasizing the need to delegate tasks one is not good at. He also highlighted the importance of time freedom alongside financial freedom. Roy encouraged entrepreneurs to learn from online resources like YouTube and invest in personal development. He also advised entrepreneurs to buy their name as a domain for easy online visibility. 
 

The Debt Reckoning: How Record-Breaking Consumer Debt is Reshaping the US Economy

The holiday season is over, but the financial impact is beginning for many Americans. Recent surveys show that 70% of Americans admit they can't pay off their credit card debt this year. With the pressure to spend on gifts, travel, and celebrations, it's no surprise that credit card balances have ballooned.
 
Credit cards were the most popular financing choice for 62% of respondents who said they took on holiday debt.
 
You're not alone if you're feeling the weight of holiday debt. Breakfast Leadership has partnered with My Debt Navigator to help individuals like you regain control of your finances.
 
Click here to schedule a no-cost appointment and learn how Debt Navigator's proven strategies can help you pay off your credit card bills and regain financial freedom.
Link:  https://mydebtnavigator.pro/levittm
 
Article on how debt impacts your mood:  https://www.breakfastleadership.com/blog/how-credit-scores-impacts-your-mood

Founder Friday: How to Protect Yourself as a Freelancer: Avoiding Common Pitfalls

In this episode, we dive into the familiar ways freelancers can be taken advantage of by clients, especially long-term ones. Whether you're just starting or have been freelancing for years, it's essential to understand your rights and how to safeguard your work. We cover:
 
Avoiding Unpaid Work – Learn how to prevent "scope creep" and ensure clients respect your original agreement.
I am setting Boundaries – Tips for maintaining work-life balance by establishing precise working hours and communication expectations.
Avoiding Employee-like Treatment – How to protect your independence and ensure you're not treated as an employee without the benefits.
The Importance of a Written Contract – Why having a detailed, signed contract is essential to ensure fair payment and prevent disputes.
 
Tune in for practical advice on freelancing and maintaining a professional, independent relationship with your clients. If you're feeling overworked or underpaid, we’ll also touch on the legal options available to freelancers.
 
Resources:
- Tools to manage your freelance workload
- Tips for drafting a freelance contract
- How to handle scope creep and renegotiate terms
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Wednesday Wisdom: How To Handle Common Challenges In The Workplace

In any job, there are bound to be obstacles. Workplace challenges can impact your focus and enjoyment at work, from conflicts with coworkers and unfair treatment to overwhelming workloads. But with the right strategies, you can tackle these issues head-on and create a more positive work experience. Tune in as we dive into practical tips for managing common workplace issues and building a healthier work environment!
 
Key Discussion Points:
 
- Navigating Conflicts with Coworkers  
  Conflicts are a natural part of any workplace, but they don’t have to disrupt your day. Learn how to address issues openly and constructively, ensuring everyone feels heard and respected. Plus, find out when it’s best to involve a neutral third party, like HR or a manager, to help resolve conflicts effectively.
 
- Dealing with Unfair Treatment  
  Unfair treatment, harassment, or discrimination can be one of the most challenging workplace experiences. We’ll discuss the importance of documenting incidents, knowing your rights, and seeking support from HR or legal experts when needed. Don’t navigate this alone—there’s help available.
 
- Managing a Heavy Workload Without Burnout  
  Overwhelming is common in today’s fast-paced work culture. Discover simple techniques to break down your tasks, prioritize effectively, and set boundaries to prevent burnout. Remember, taking breaks and managing your workload helps your productivity and supports a healthier work-life balance.
 
Whether you’re dealing with difficult colleagues, workplace fairness issues, or juggling too much on your plate, these actionable tips will help you face challenges confidently. Learn how to overcome these everyday obstacles and maximize your workday! 
 
 
Don’t miss this episode for insightful advice on handling workplace hurdles and thriving in your career!
 
Subscribe to our newsletter and explore insightful conversations on workplace culture, burnout, and leadership at the Breakfast Leadership Network, ranked in the top 20 globally. Join us to thrive in the modern work environment.
Please stay connected with us. Check out the Breakfast Leadership Show Podcast for more insights and valuable content. Join our podcast and get inspired by top industry leaders’ leadership lessons and success stories.

Dr. Zulia Frost's Journey from Car Accident Recovery to Advancements in Portable Energy Medicine

Exploring Light Therapy for Healing
Zulia shares her experience in a car accident and how it led her to explore energy medicine and the healing properties of light. She studied the scientific aspects of how light and electricity interact with the human body at the Dr. Weber Institute in Germany. Michael agrees that natural light from the sun makes people feel better, as the human body is energetic and can benefit from light therapies to repair damage naturally.
Red and Infrared Light Therapy Benefits
Zulia explains that red and infrared light therapy can provide therapeutic benefits by stimulating mitochondria in cells to produce more energy and repair damage. She highlights several potential applications, including improving collagen production for wound healing and skin rejuvenation, aiding cartilage regeneration, promoting bone healing, enhancing neuroregeneration for cognitive disorders, increasing circulation, and providing an anti-inflammatory effect without drugs. Zulia encourages people to research the extensive scientific literature on the wide-ranging benefits of red and infrared light therapy.
Natural Therapies for Cognitive Health
Michael discussed the potential benefits of natural therapies for addressing inflammation and cognitive issues. He emphasized the ongoing nature of medical research and the importance of considering natural sunlight and social interaction in maintaining mental health. He also highlighted the potential of portable therapies for improving the quality of life and extending life, referencing the work of Recharge Health. He stressed that these therapies are not medical claims but are based on research and could offer a more natural alternative to medication.
Portable Medical Tech Advancements Discussed
Michael discussed the advancements in portable medical technologies, such as wearable devices, which can improve the quality of life. Zulia then shared her work with the Recharge group, highlighting the evolution of red light therapy from its initial use for plant growth in space to its current application in human health. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a correct distance from the light source to ensure the effectiveness of the therapy.
Portable Device for Daily Use
Zulia discussed the benefits and versatility of a portable, multi-purpose device designed for human use. The device, which can be worn around the body, is intended to be used while performing daily activities, such as cooking or playing computer games. It is also suitable for people with injuries or poor sleep and can be used by the entire family. Zulia encouraged further exploration of the device, which is available on their website, rechargehealth.com. She also mentioned that the device can be charged and taken on trips and that they have a forum for users to ask questions and receive assistance. Michael appreciated Zulia's work and encouraged others to learn more about the device.
https://drzulia.com/
LinkedIn:  https://uk.linkedin.com/in/zulia-frost
FlexBeam Red Light Therapy Device

Founder Friday: How Growing Too Fast Can Ruin Your Chances of Maintaining Success

In today’s episode, we explore businesses' challenges when expanding too quickly and how to ensure sustainable growth. Rapid growth may feel like a victory but can strain operations, resources, and customer satisfaction. We discuss the critical factors businesses must manage to avoid long-term pitfalls and maintain stability. 
 
Key Takeaways:
Operational Overload: Learn how scaling can overload existing systems, leading to logistical issues, inventory challenges, and under-resourced operations.
Cash Flow Issues: Understand the impact of rapid growth on cash flow and how upfront investments in staff, equipment, and inventory can lead to financial instability.
Supply Chain Breakdowns: Discover the importance of choosing reliable suppliers to meet increased demand without compromising quality, especially for unique items.
Customer Experience Declines: Hear how fast growth can negatively affect customer service and why maintaining personalized attention is crucial for retention.
 
Join us for actionable insights on managing business growth effectively and avoiding common pitfalls that can derail your success. Whether you’re a small business owner or scaling a larger company, these strategies will help you navigate the growing pains of expansion.
 
Subscribe to our newsletter and explore insightful conversations on workplace culture, burnout, and leadership at the Breakfast Leadership Network, ranked in the top 20 globally. Join us to thrive in the modern work environment.
Please stay connected with us. Check out the Breakfast Leadership Show Podcast for more insights and valuable content. Join our podcast and get inspired by top industry leaders’ leadership lessons and success stories.