The Secrets of Being Podcast

In this heartfelt episode of The Secrets of Being, I am honored to sit down with Doug D. Gordon, an international keynote speaker, life coach, and author whose life journey is a powerful reminder that transformation often begins in our most difficult moments. Doug began his career in the demanding world of corporate finance, where long hours, high expectations, and relentless pressure were part of daily life. But a profound near-death experience changed everything and invited him to reevaluate what truly matters.Doug shares how that pivotal moment awakened him to a deeper purpose rooted in healing, communication, and helping others navigate the challenges of stress, work, and personal growth. Today he works with individuals and organizations around the world, guiding people toward greater clarity, emotional balance, and meaningful success. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: when we align our work with love, service, and authentic purpose, our energy becomes vibrant and our lives naturally begin to flourish.Throughout our conversation we explore practical techniques for managing stress and maintaining peace in high-pressure environments. Doug discusses the importance of meditation, grounding exercises, visualization, and learning how to become an observer of our thoughts. These mindfulness practices help regulate the nervous system, strengthen rational thinking, and allow us to respond to challenges with calm rather than reaction. We also talk about the transformative power of gratitude and how shifting our perspective can help us see difficult moments not as burdens but as opportunities for growth and compassion.Doug also speaks openly about the deeper philosophy behind his work, including the importance of optimizing our energy, reframing challenges, and viewing the people we encounter in our daily lives with greater empathy and understanding. He encourages us to see our colleagues, communities, and even difficult interactions as opportunities to bring kindness, communication, and healing into the world.This conversation is ultimately about more than success or productivity. It is about living with intention, cultivating peace during difficult times, and remembering that life is not just about reaching a destination. It is about embracing the journey, honoring our experiences, and choosing gratitude along the way. Doug reminds us that when we align with love and purpose, our energy shifts, our mindset expands, and the impact we create naturally grows.If you are seeking greater balance, exploring your purpose, navigating stress, or looking for practical tools to cultivate gratitude and resilience, this episode will offer both inspiration and insight. It is a reminder that even in the most challenging seasons of life, there is always an opportunity to grow, heal, and reconnect with who we truly are.With love,DawnP.S. You can connect with Doug here: https://dougdgordon.com/

On this episode of The Secrets of Being, I’m joined by Nicole Harvick—quantum energy healer, forgiveness expert, and radiant force of self-love. Nicole opens up about a life-altering discovery in 2013, when her daughter—just a sixth grader—stumbled upon proof of Nicole’s husband’s infidelity. In the middle of heartbreak and shock, Nicole began her journey inward. Reiki. Sound healing. Energy work. She tried everything. But it wasn’t until her mother, on her deathbed, confessed the pain of never healing from her own betrayal that Nicole found the one thing missing from her path: forgiveness.What followed was a complete energetic transformation. Through the Hawaiian practice of ho’oponopono—I love you, I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you—Nicole found peace. She tells us how forgiveness isn’t about the other person. It’s a radical act of self-love. As she began to forgive herself, her body felt lighter. Her mind clearer. Her joy, real.Nicole reminds us that we carry so much—especially as women. And yet, when we release judgment, step into breathwork, walk barefoot in the grass, and reconnect with our childlike joy, the healing begins. This episode is a beautiful reminder that the wisdom we call “woo woo” is actually ancient truth. That everything has consciousness. And that when we forgive, we become free.With love,DawnP.S. You can connect with Nicole at: https://nicoleharvick.com/

On this episode of The Secrets of Being, I’m joined by Andrew Kap, author of the popular book Just Feel Good and a passionate advocate for making manifestation simple, joyful, and real. Andrew doesn’t just teach the law of attraction—he lives it. After losing his business and relationship within the same week, he realized he couldn’t keep living in survival mode. That moment of rock bottom became the turning point.Andrew opens up about how he used just 10 minutes a day to shift his vibration. Within three months, everything began to change. His relationship improved. His mindset transformed. And what once felt impossible started to feel inevitable. The key? Emotion. Consistency. And choosing to feel good—on purpose.We talk about scripting, journaling, and the power of writing the life you want before you live it. Andrew shares how energy works, how alignment matters more than perfection, and why clarity and fun are two of the most underrated tools in manifesting anything.We explore how small moments—like a high school song or a single prayer—can change the trajectory of a life. He reminds us not to panic when plans fall through. Sometimes, not getting that $90,000 job is the best thing that could happen, because the $200,000 one is on its way.This episode is an invitation to be present, to be playful, and to become the most skilled version of yourself. Because the universe isn’t just listening—it’s always responding.With love,DawnP.S. You can connect with Andrew at andrewkap.com

On this episode of The Secrets of Being, I’m joined by the radiant Kiki Penn—a reiki healer, Lyme disease advocate, and wise soul whose story reminds us what it means to come home to ourselves after deep illness and isolation.Kiki shares how her journey into holistic healing began early—with a love for herbs, crystals, and the intuitive whispers that only some can hear. But it was a tick bite one summer, during a visit to her grandparents, that changed the course of her life. Her health declined, her marriage crumbled, and for seven years she found herself mostly bedridden—grappling with Lyme disease while also watching her sister navigate the same diagnosis.She tells us about the moment she nearly gave up on her holistic roots—until a powerful encounter in Washington, D.C. introduced her to bee venom therapy. With courage and patience, Kiki began administering bee venom three times a week for over a year. Slowly, she started to feel like herself again. She reminds us that healing doesn’t come in quick fixes—it comes in stillness, in intention, and in choosing to keep going.We explore her work as a reiki healer, how energy can move what words cannot, and what it means to witness someone else’s pain with tenderness and presence. Kiki shares a story of a couple she worked with—how the session unearthed old trauma, yet left them lighter, freer. She also opens up about her calling to become a soul guide or death doula, inspired by her time caring for elders who had no family at the end of their lives.This conversation is layered—with grief, with grit, and with grace. Kiki reminds us that the body remembers, but so does the soul. And sometimes healing looks like laying in bed for years. Other times, it looks like choosing life again, one sting, one breath, one prayer at a time.This episode is for anyone who has lost themselves in illness. It’s for those learning to trust their inner knowing again. And it’s for every soul who’s ever wondered if the light will return. It does. It always does.With love, DawnP.S. You can connect with Kiki here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiki-penn/

Today’s episode of The Secrets of Being is a heartfelt invitation into purpose, healing, and transformation. I’m joined by Chigozie Nwosu, a gifted physician, author, purpose and clarity coach, and transformational speaker. Chigozie is also the founder of The Brave Minds Hub, an organization designed to help others navigate life’s transitions with boldness and wisdom.With a background in medicine, occupational health, and business management, Chigozie blends clinical knowledge with lived experience to guide others through the hard questions—those quiet, sacred reflections that move us from where we are to where we’re meant to be.She opens up about the moment she realized that being a doctor was only one layer of her calling. Now based in Canada, Chigozie shares how one tear-filled moment with a patient changed the way she shows up in the world. We talk about the difference between happiness and joy, and why so many people feel unfulfilled despite appearing successful.Chigozie takes us through her faith-based journey of working through depression, grief, and the loss of a life to completed suicide. Her book Overcoming Depression is an honest and hope-filled guide that helps readers find light in the middle of life’s darkest seasons.We talk about the courage it takes to ask yourself: beyond the title, who am I? Chigozie reminds us that our pain is never meant to be wasted. When we deal with our own hearts, we stop projecting our wounds onto others. She encourages us to look inward, to notice how we respond when triggered, and to approach healing as both an act of service and an act of surrender.She speaks with clarity about the fleeting nature of life, the importance of legacy, and why kindness is the currency of true fulfillment. Her desire is to leave her name etched not just in credentials—but in the sands of impact.This episode is a reminder that transformation begins when we stop avoiding the hard questions and start moving through them with intention, faith, and grace. If you’ve ever felt lost, if you’ve questioned your path, or if you’re carrying silent grief, this conversation will meet you right where you are—and lovingly call you forward.With love,DawnP.S. Connect with Chigozie here: https://bravemindshub.com/

Today’s episode of The Secrets of Being is a heart-expanding journey into a world many of us feel but few truly understand. I’m joined by the incredible Annie Bourke—an animal communicator, psychic, and author whose love for animals started when she was just 18 months old. For the past 14 years, Annie has been telepathically communicating with animals, using a universal language that animals speak to each other in the wild—a language of energy, intention, and soul connection.Annie shares that animals are not “lesser beings”—they are souls, just like us, choosing not to come back in human form. Her own cat’s transition led her to pursue this sacred path, guiding her to a course that would change her life forever. Since then, she’s worked with animals in the physical and spiritual realms, including those who’ve returned to their humans in surprising ways—from dogs to cows, even cats who request to come back as terriers so they won’t be left behind during family vacations.We explore the idea of reincarnation, soul contracts, and how animals carry wisdom across lifetimes. Annie explains how she receives messages from animals in spirit, often through a single code word that unlocks their story. She tells one story about a cat who sent her the word “Rumpleteaser,” and another involving a horse that literally sang “Hallelujah.” It’s both awe-inspiring and deeply affirming of the emotional intelligence and sacred bond we share with the animals in our lives.Annie reminds us that many children can communicate with animals naturally, but often lose that ability as they grow. She encourages us to talk with our animals—tell them when we're leaving, when we're coming back, and how much we love them. They feel our vibration, our energy, and they respond.We talk about grief, about the emotional toll we experience when we lose our beloved animals, and how many of them return lifetime after lifetime to continue guiding us. Annie’s work offers healing, hope, and a deep sense of peace to those walking through pet loss and beyond. Her books are a source of comfort for grieving pet parents and anyone curious about the soul journey of animals.If you’ve ever wondered what your dog might say if he could speak, or felt your cat watching over you long after they’ve passed, this episode is your invitation to believe. As Annie beautifully shares, animals are here to help us evolve our hearts—and if we’re open, they’ll lead the way.With love, DawnP.s. Connect with Annie: https://www.cosmicheartintuitive.com.au/

Today, I’m joined by Bob Beare, PhD—a beautiful soul who has dedicated his life to helping others heal. He’s the founder of Deep Waters Recovery, a long-time therapist, a best-selling author, and someone who walks the path of recovery with integrity and truth. But more than anything, Bob is a father. And in his words, nothing has healed him more deeply than being a dad.In our conversation, Bob opens up about his 34-year recovery journey and how shadow work—looking at the parts of ourselves we’ve tried to hide—has become a foundational piece of his healing. We talk about the inner critic, the stories we carry from childhood, and how those unspoken wounds often spill into our parenting, our relationships, and our sense of worth.Bob shares how addiction—especially food addiction—is quietly taking people out, and how the origins of that pain are rooted in the early messages we absorb. He invites us to pause and ask the deeper question: “How did I get here?” Because awareness is where the shift begins.There’s such tenderness in the way Bob talks about his daughter. He reflects on the summers they spent together, how their relationship has evolved, and how grief and joy live side by side like the same river. He reminds us that when we don’t make space to grieve, we block ourselves from fully feeling anything at all.We talk about what it means to parent with love, not strategy. Why our healing is our children’s healing. And why showing up for ourselves is the greatest gift we can give to the people we love.This episode is a soft place to land. It’s a conversation about real recovery, about rewriting our inner narrative, and about creating safe spaces for our hearts to unfold. Bob reminds us that healing doesn’t come from control—it comes from connection. From heart to heart.Connect with Bob: bobbeare.comWith love, Dawn