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.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
What if true happiness, fulfillment, and connection aren’t found “out there”… but already within you? 🌱✨
In this inspiring episode of the Finding Better Podcast, host John Suzuki sits down with Sara Byers — CEO, thought leader, inspirational speaker, and published poet. From leading her family business Leonardo’s Pizza, to chairing corporate and non-profit boards, to publishing two poetry collections (Heart and Moon & Wise Stars) and co-hosting the Collecting Insight Podcast — Sara has lived many lives.
But her real journey began when she faced imposter syndrome, deep anxiety, and a 2020 spiritual awakening that changed everything. Today, Sara’s mission is simple yet powerful: to help us embrace wholeness, courage, and self-acceptance — so we can unlock the hidden gifts that change not only our lives, but the world. 🌍💖
✨ Connect with Sara Byers:
🔗 Website: https://sarasbyers.com/
📖 Books: Heart & Moon : https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Moon-Sara-Byers-ebook/dp/B0CPFTF3H4?ref_=ast_author_mpb
📖 Wise Stars : https://www.amazon.com/Wise-Stars-Sara-Byers-ebook/dp/B0DNTW9Q3J?ref_=ast_author_dp
🎙️ Podcast: Collecting InsightOfficial website: https://collectinginsight.com/
Apple Podcasts: “Collecting Insight – Podcast” on Apple : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/collecting-insight/id1732570634
Spotify: “Collecting Insight | Podcast on Spotify” : https://open.spotify.com/show/7pvMkrlv9vA0AooQOEXVG3
👉 Watch until the end for Sara’s powerful reminder: “Be who you are. Just. Be. You.”
Monday Sep 01, 2025
Monday Sep 01, 2025
What if the most painful moments are the very keys to purpose, resilience, and freedom? In this raw, powerful episode, peak performance coach and “pain alchemist” Jessie Torres reveals how to turn trauma into strength, forgive without condoning, and reclaim sovereignty—so pain stops defining the story. From childhood sexual abuse and two brothers murdered 30 years apart to an 18-year abusive marriage, Jessie shares the exact mindsets, micro-shifts, and her 4-step forgiveness protocol that transformed everything—and how they can for anyone ready to choose differently today.
Big ideas you’ll learn:
* Pain is part of life—suffering is a choice (and how to stop choosing it).* “If you don’t look for the gift in your pain, you’ll only remember the pain” (how to actually find the gift).* Heart armor: drop what childhood built unconsciously, then re-armor consciously with boundaries and love.* Belief rewiring: the one shift that separates a 6-day-old’s purity from an adult’s identity traps.* Radical gratitude after loss: finding light when it feels impossible (including two family tragedies).* The forgiveness protocol: letting go without letting anyone “off the hook”.* Kindness interrupts despair: the moment that reignited her will to live.* Life as choice points: the decisions that shape the future—starting now.
Free resources:
1. Download Jessie’s “10-Step Guide to Freedom” to get unstuck and take action today : https://www.unshakeablelife.com/10stepstofreedom
2. Visit Jessie’s website: https://iamfiercegrace.com/
Sunday Aug 31, 2025
Sunday Aug 31, 2025
What if the real barrier to your success isn’t ambition — but clarity? 🤯In this eye-opening episode of Finding Better, host John Suzuki sits down with David Prosper — clarity coach, speaker, and author of Finding Clarity: Your Guide to Peace, Purpose, and Prosperity.
David shares his inspiring journey from growing up in the projects of Fort Lauderdale, to chasing achievements that left him unfulfilled, to finally unlocking the life-changing power of clarity.
Together, they dive deep into:✅ How to move from confusion to confidence✅ Why success without clarity leads to emptiness✅ The C5 Model: Capacity, Competence, Courage, Connection & Curiosity✅ The messy middle — the hardest, yet most transformative part of growth✅ The surprising role of forgiveness in finding true peace✅ Why surrounding yourself with “Only Quality People” changes everything
If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or unsure of your next step — this conversation will show you how to design a life you love, instead of living by default.
✨ Learn more about David Prosper:🌐 Website → www.davidbprosper.com
📖 Book → Finding Clarity: Your Guide to Peace, Purpose, and Prosperity on Amazon : https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Clarity-Guide-Purpose-Prosperity/dp/B0F6V6G31X
🎧 Tune in, take notes, and start compounding clarity in your own life today.
Saturday Aug 30, 2025
Saturday Aug 30, 2025
Are you living life on your terms—or chasing someone else’s expectations?
🤔 In this episode of Finding Better, host John Suzuki sits down with business coach Kristan Swan for a powerful conversation on self-trust, resilience, and unlocking the wisdom you already carry inside.
✨ Learn why knowing yourself is the first step to trusting yourself.✨ Discover how asking better questions leads to better answers.✨ Explore grit, resilience, and showing up even when life feels impossible.✨ Find out why AI is pushing us toward a renaissance of heart and humanity.✨ Hear how building community and surrounding yourself with the right people changes everything.
This is more than a conversation—it’s a roadmap to living authentically, building resilience, and stepping into your “why.”
👉 Learn more about Kristan Swan’s work here:🌐 Website: https://kristanswan.com/
📰 Substack: https://substack.com/@kristanswan
Monday Aug 18, 2025
Monday Aug 18, 2025
💥 Would you have the courage to rebuild your life when your body is fighting against you every single day? 💥
In this powerful Finding Better episode, host Jon Suzuki sits down with Adriana Cowdin — Executive Coach, Entrepreneur, and Author of Stubborn as Fck* — whose life is a testament to grit, resilience, and the power of living on your own terms.
From battling 30 chronic illnesses and enduring countless hospital stays…To building and selling a 7-figure digital marketing agency from her hospital bed…To coaching high-achieving leaders through identity reclamation and authentic leadership…
Adriana’s story will challenge everything you think you know about success, work-life balance, and personal reinvention.
🎯 In this episode, you’ll discover:
* Why reinvention doesn’t have to wait for a crisis* The secret to building resilience like a muscle* How to stop white-knuckling through life and start writing your own script* The role of love, grace, and gratitude in overcoming life’s toughest battles* How to lead authentically — even when you’re on the edge
📌 Connect with Adriana Cowdin:🔗 Website: adrianacowdin.com
📣 If you’re ready to stop living by other people’s expectations and create a life that’s truly yours, hit play — and share this episode with someone who needs it!
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Tired of starting over with your health every Monday—or every New Year? In this must-listen episode of Finding Better, host John Suzuki sits down with health coach, author, and speaker Esther Avant (To Your Health: A Lifestyle of Health, Happiness, and Confidence) to reveal how you can finally break free from the all-or-nothing mindset that keeps sabotaging your goals.
Esther shares her powerful FIT Framework—a simple, proven approach to creating sustainable habits for better physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. You’ll discover:✅ The real reasons you struggle to stay consistent (it’s not laziness!)✅ How to define health your way—beyond the number on the scale✅ The three universal barriers to better health and how to crush them✅ Why support systems are the secret to lasting success✅ How compassion + ownership will keep you on track for life
If you’re ready to stop the cycle of burnout and start building the life, energy, and confidence you deserve, this episode will show you exactly where to begin.
📚 Get Esther’s Book: To Your Health: A Lifestyle of Health, Happiness, and Confidence → https://a.co/d/2OJZ384
🎧 Listen to Esther’s Podcast: To Your Health → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/to-your-health/id1543658046
🌐 Visit Esther’s Website: https://estheravant.com/
📩 Share this episode with someone who needs a boost in their health journey!💬 Tell us in the comments: What’s YOUR definition of health?
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
🔥 What if losing your dream job was the best thing that ever happened to you?
In this empowering episode, host John Suzuki sits down with Kathryn Booker-Veloz—executive coach, leadership strategist, and former senior advisor to U.S. diplomats—who shares her raw, unfiltered story of being unexpectedly laid off from a job she loved… and how that gut-wrenching moment became the catalyst for a new, purpose-driven chapter.
You’ll discover:✨ The emotional rollercoaster of sudden job loss—and how to ride it with dignity✨ Why rest, not hustle, might be your most powerful next step✨ How faith, clarity, and courage can transform your life after a setback✨ Practical ways to silence self-doubt and ignite your hidden superpowers✨ Why proving yourself to YOU matters more than proving yourself to others
If you’ve ever felt underestimated, blindsided by change, or stuck at a crossroads—Kathryn’s journey will inspire you to rise stronger, dream bigger, and embrace the opportunities hidden in life’s toughest moments.
💡 Connect with Kathryn & explore her work: Kathrynexecutive.com
🎧 Listen now and learn how to turn your setback into your greatest comeback!
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
What if losing everything—your business, your faith, your identity—was the key to becoming your truest self? In this raw and transformative episode, entrepreneur Vince Covino shares how he built a $100M empire, only to watch it collapse… and how that collapse led to a spiritual awakening, emotional rebirth, and a radically different way of leading.
From bankruptcy and belief breakdowns to healing through psychedelics, mentorship, and self-love, Vince reveals how pain became his greatest teacher. Now the CEO of WarriorSage, he's helping business leaders shift from hustle to heart, and from profit-only to purpose-aligned leadership.
🎯 Want to meet Vince in person and experience powerful business transformation?
👉 Apply now to the Impact Accelerator Summit ( https://impactacceleratorcircle.com/ ) – the premier summit for accomplished founders seeking strategic investors.
Experience personalized capital matchmaking, executive transformation, and next-level partnership formation—all in Austin’s most exclusive business gathering.
🎙 In this episode, you’ll learn:
* How Vince lost $100M and found peace* The power of letting go, self-forgiveness & heart-centered leadership* How to scale your business without losing your soul* Why the next big wave in capitalism is emotional intelligence* Vince’s 3-part transformation blueprint: Mentorship, Meditation, Self-Love
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.