Finding Better Podcast
At Finding Better, John Suzuki’s mission is simple: To help people build the “better” they seek in life—personally and professionally—by sharing the real-life stories of you who have been there and done that. John’s approach is grounded in the belief that lived experience is the most powerful teacher. Sometimes, the best path to success isn’t to invent it—it’s to observe it, learn from it, and honor those who’ve walked it before you. That’s what makes Finding Better different. Every conversation is rooted in authenticity, not ego. By sharing your story with purpose and heart, you’re not just “selling yourself”— You’re giving someone else the roadmap they didn’t know they needed. John believes we each live three careers: 1. To Learn – in school 2. To Earn – a living 3. To Return – by giving back Now living his “third career,” John’s mission is to help others live better, more meaningful lives—and to bring a little more heart back into the world.
Episodes

Wednesday May 28, 2025
EP 135 - How Solo Travel Cured My Loneliness – A Life-Changing Journey! - Tsvety Roo
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Ever felt lonely even when life seems perfect? Join John Suzuki in an inspiring and transformative conversation with Tsvety Roo, a fearless traveler who traded her successful New York career for a ticket around the globe! In this riveting episode of Finding Better, Tsvety reveals her powerful journey from deep loneliness to empowering solitude through solo travel. Discover how stepping into the unknown can fill your life with connection, self-love, and unexpected adventures! From Michelin-starred meals alone in Berlin to family-run homestays in Bali, this episode will completely redefine your idea of happiness and independence. Ready to find your better? Hit play and let's explore together!
🔖 In This Episode:✅ Overcoming loneliness with intentional solitude✅ The secrets and safety tips of solo travel✅ Uncovering true happiness beyond external expectations✅ Real-life stories and travel hacks for affordable, meaningful adventures

Wednesday May 28, 2025
EP 134 - The BEST Career Advice You’ll Hear All Week – ‘Get After It!’ - Tim Rosolio
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Join John Suzuki and Tim Rosolio (VP of Expedia Group) in this eye-opening conversation about the power of loving what you do and why human connection still beats AI in business! Discover how Tim went from consulting on toilets to revolutionizing the vacation rental industry—and why he still meets customers face-to-face in a digital world. 🔹 Key Takeaways You Can’t Miss:✅ How passion transforms careers (from hired gun to industry leader!)✅ Why AI can’t replace real relationships (Expedia’s shocking experiment!)✅ The secret to small businesses competing with giants ✅ Career advice that changes lives – “Find what makes you happy and GET AFTER IT!”
💬 Tim’s golden rule? “Get out of PowerPoint and talk to your customers!” 💡

Tuesday May 20, 2025
EP 133 - The SHOCKING truth about better thinking! - John Knowlton
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Stuck in a Rut? This Mindset Shift Changes EVERYTHING! Ever wonder why some people achieve more with less stress? Join John Suzuki and the insightful John Knowlton in this powerful episode of Finding Better as they reveal the untapped power of better thinking. Discover how your thoughts directly impact your results in relationships, problem-solving, work, and even your deepest beliefs! Learn from John's eye-opening experiences as a jail chaplain and unlock simple yet profound adjustments to your mindset that can lead to a radically better life. Don't miss this life-changing conversation!
Resources Mentioned: Thinking for Success: 52 Stories that upgrade your thinking to boost productivity, problem solving and relationships will be released at the end of the year. Sign up for updates at AbundantThoughtRevolution.com

Monday May 19, 2025
EP 132 - Can You Really Learn to Love Public Speaking? - Danny Brassell
Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
Join host John Suzuki as he sits down with the incredible Danny Brassell, known as "Jim Carey with a PhD," a speaker, trainer, and coach on leadership and storytelling. This episode dives deep into why facts inform, but stories transform!
Discover how understanding the power of storytelling can absolutely change your life. Danny, who has spoken to thousands, shares his personal journey of "pivots", from being a journalist covering President Bush Sr. to teaching in South Central LA, and building a lucrative speaking business after losing everything in a real estate scam.
Learn critical insights for becoming a truly engaging speaker:
Embrace Vulnerability: Stop bragging about accomplishments and start sharing your failures and struggles to connect deeply with your audience.The Power of Connection: Learn how to make your audience see themselves in you – that's the key to an effective presentation.One Call to Action: Avoid confusing your audience with too many offers. Focus on one clear next step for maximum impact.Practice Makes Perfect: Overcome stage fright and build confidence by consistently practicing your speaking skills, just like Tiger Woods honed his golf game.Think in Pictures: Utilize visuals in your presentations, remembering that people think in pictures, not words.
Danny also shares a brilliant exercise to help you find and craft your own impactful stories and how stories can strategically demonstrate your value without overtly selling. This episode is packed with wisdom for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone looking to enhance their communication and influence.
Resources Mentioned: Get your FREE Well-Crafted Story Blueprint from Danny: freestoryguide.com

Monday May 12, 2025
EP 131 - Why Failure is your Best Teacher - Kamran Loghman
Monday May 12, 2025
Monday May 12, 2025
Join us for a transformative episode of the "Finding Better" podcast as host John Suzuki sits down with the extraordinary Kamran Loghman! Discover how decades of leadership experience as an accomplished CEO, an MBA professor of business and Eastern philosophy, and even the inventor of pepper spray, have shaped his unique insights into what it truly means to "find better" in life.
Kamran, an expert in enlightened warrior traditions, shares profound wisdom gleaned from 50 years of practicing Japanese and India's classical warrior disciplines. Dive deep into the concept of "Rise of Giants," a framework for reinventing how we live and work, and transforming leaders and nations of the future.
In this episode, you'll explore:
1. The Heroic Journey: Understand how ancient warrior traditions and the "heroic journey"—a concept famously explored by George Lucas for Star Wars—provide a timeless template for navigating life's challenges, both external and internal.2. Beyond Success and Failure: Learn why studying failure is often a better teacher than success and how embracing "battle wounds" and regrets is crucial for growth.3. The Four Pillars of a Fulfilled Life: Discover the four essential "legs of the table" for a balanced existence: mental and physical fitness, relationships, prosperity (finances), and your philosophy/purpose of life.4. Finding Your Purpose: Uncover how introspection and quieting the mind (like the ancient practice of Zen meditation for Samurai) can help you peel back layers of "noise" to reveal your innate purpose.5. Overcoming Challenges: Gain insights into practical strategies from the "17 gates" of the warrior tradition, including questioning beliefs, understanding perception, developing vitality, and slaying the "dragon within" (addictions and self-sabotage).
Kamran Loghman's "Rise of Giants" philosophy emphasizes that each of us can choose to rise as a "giant" and live a fulfilled life by embodying balance and purpose, not necessarily by becoming a celebrity.
Resources:Learn more and access free resources at https://www.riseofgiants.com/

Friday May 09, 2025
EP 130 - Reinventing Success: He Lost EVERYTHING & Found MORE! - Ray Martin
Friday May 09, 2025
Friday May 09, 2025
You won't BELIEVE Ray Martin's incredible journey after losing his marriage, business, and father in a short period. He walked away from the corporate dream to embark on a 14-YEAR soul-searching adventure! Now he’s here to share what he learned! This powerful podcast episode of Finding Better with John Suzuki unveils the raw, honest truth behind his transformation and the wisdom he shares in his book, "Life Without a Tie." 📖 Discover the 6 KEY SECRETS Ray reveals that can help YOU live a more authentic and fulfilling life. Don't miss this inspiring story of resilience, reinvention, and finding better within.
Learn more about Ray's incredible journey and his book, 'Life Without a Tie,' at his website: http://lifewithoutatie.com/

Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
In this powerful episode of the Finding Better Podcast, host John Suzuki sits down with Angelo Valenti—author of "You're Making This Way Too Hard: Find Your Easy Way to Enjoy Life"—to unpack the hidden traps of overcomplication, toxic comparison, and digital overload. Whether you're burned out, stuck in negativity, or craving more joy and clarity, this episode is your roadmap to stop surviving and start thriving. Learn how to break free from external expectations, take back control of your time, and fall in love with your own journey—one intentional step at a time. Don’t miss the golden nuggets on productivity hacks, mental wellness, building self-love, and the truth about “success” in a noisy, filtered world. This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a wake-up call to your most authentic, powerful self.
Angelo's calendar link is: www.reachangelo.com
Angelo's website: www.angelovalenti.com
Consulting website: www.thecompanypsychologist.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelovalentiphd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngeloValentiAuthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorangelovalenti
X: @Doctorv4456
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@docangelovalenti?lang=en

Monday May 05, 2025
Monday May 05, 2025
Are you secretly struggling with Imposter Syndrome? You’re NOT alone. In this powerful episode of the Finding Better Podcast, host John Suzuki sits down with imposter syndrome expert and leadership coach Dr. Tara Halliday to uncover the hidden epidemic affecting over 70% of high achievers—including executives, entrepreneurs, and creatives. Together, they share jaw-dropping insights on what imposter syndrome really is, how it silently sabotages confidence and performance, and how to finally free yourself from self-doubt and fear of being “found out.” Discover the neuroscience behind feeling like a fraud, the surprising connection to bullying, and practical steps to cultivate effortless confidence, focus, and inner peace.
Tara, the best-selling author of Outsmart Imposter Syndrome, reveals the #1 limiting belief causing this internal suffering—and how to break free from it for good. Whether you're an ambitious professional, a perfectionist, or simply someone tired of hiding your brilliance, this episode will open your heart and mind. Don't miss the chance to learn simple tools like box breathing, nervous system resets, and a truth about self-worth that could change your life. Watch now, subscribe for more wisdom, and share this with someone who might need it. It’s time to stop surviving and start thriving. 💥

John believes we all have three careers; first to learn and go to school, second to earn and make a living, and third to return and give back. Now in his third career of giving back, John’s mission is to make the world better by inspiring people to live with less fear and divisiveness and bring a little more love into the world. While going to school, John started his earning career selling butter toffee peanuts for the YMCA when he was ten, and then worked on a bait barge in Redondo Beach selling live anchovies when he was twelve (his favorite job ever). John has faithfully served his customers throughout his life ranging from neighborhood families to multi-billion-dollar global enterprises, always offering his utmost care and warm smile. Throughout his professional career, John held leadership and executive sales roles in IBM, Sun Microsystems, Escapia, Vrbo and Expedia Group, where he served as Global Evangelist and Ombudsman, presenting the latest business and technology trends and opportunities for vacation rental partners in Europe and North America.

HONORING THE PAST BY EDUCATING THE FUTURE
American Grit - From a Japanese American Concentration Camp Rises an American War Hero, is the incredible true story about the dark chapter in our history when 122,000 innocent people including 50,000 American children were incarcerated in American concentration camps during World War II solely because of their race, and the thousands of brave young men who volunteered to fight for the United States Army while their families remained imprisoned in the camps by the United States Army. In 2008 the author, John Suzuki, embarked on a poignant journey to Minidoka, one of the ten former U.S. concentration camps that housed over 13,000 inmates. Here, he encountered a remarkable testament of bravery — an Honor Roll listing the names of over 1,000 Japanese American men who volunteered to fight and die for the U.S. Army, the same Army who put them and their families in the camps to begin with. Inspired by this unparalleled act of courage, John set out to tell the story of Shiro Kashino, an American who was incarcerated at Minidoka, volunteered to fight for the U.S. Army to prove his loyalty, and later emerged as one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War II. Despite learning of Kashino's death in 1997, the author remained undeterred and, with the help of Kashino’s beloved widow, Louise, weaved a tale of hardship, sacrifice, and love. While American Grit tells the story of Shiro Kashino, it is also a stark reminder of ruinous hardships endured by over 122,000 victims of American concentration camps while celebrating their gallantry, heroism and grit during and after World War II as they stayed true to their dreams of a better life in America. As the author delves into this profound and transformative journey, he invites readers to reflect on the importance of learning from our history to shape a better future. The book is a tribute to Shiro, Louise, and all the heroes of the era whose stories of courage and resilience inspire us to honor the past by educating the future.