The Live Into Your Best Life Podcast

Making College Happen with Howard Friedman

In this episode, Paulie Skaja interviews Howard Freedman, a financial aid consultant with over 20 years of experience. Howard shares his journey from working in customer service and business management to founding his own financial aid consulting firm. He discusses the importance of continuous education, the challenges students face in pursuing higher education, and the strategies for making college affordable. Howard also talks about his role in the Access program at Boston Public Schools, where he provided financial aid services and scholarships to over 2700 high school students. He emphasizes the need for students to market themselves effectively to colleges and the importance of finding a college that fits their skills and financial situation.
Key Points:
Howard's background in financial management, customer service, and software consulting.
His passion for helping students navigate the complexities of college financial aid.
The significance of continuous education and reinventing oneself.
Strategies for making college affordable and finding the right fit.
Howard's achievements and recognition in the field of financial aid consulting.
Book: Making College Happen: An insightful guide to making savvy financial decisions and cutting college costs https://amzn.to/410qG9D
Website: https://www.financialaidconsulting.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-freedman-3b2581123/

From Burnout to Balance with Najib Khan: Reclaiming Your Health in a World That Forgot Wellness

In this deeply personal and insightful episode, our guest shares a transformative journey from a 20-year career in high-stakes corporate tech to becoming a conscious living and wellness strategist. Tune in as we uncover how a personal loss and the pandemic cracked open the door to self-discovery, igniting a mission to help others reclaim their health, energy, and relationship with food.
This conversation dives into the root causes of modern health challenges—from chronic stress and burnout to sugar addiction and emotional eating—and explores how we can break free from a system designed to keep us unhealthy.
Key Takeaways
The Evolution Gap: Why our ancient bodies are misaligned with today’s hyper-processed, convenience-driven food environment.
The Power of Self-Awareness: Understanding how asking why is the first step to transformation.
Food Freedom Defined: Moving from emotional eating to intentional nourishment.
Optimizing Systems—Inside and Out: Lessons from a former IT pro on how neglecting your personal health system can have long-term consequences.
Healing Beyond Diets: True wellness comes from realigning the mind, body, and spirit—not just what’s on your plate.
Conscious Communication: The subtle language shifts that reinforce your choices around food and boundaries.
 
Tools & Tips Mentioned
The power of switching from “I shouldn’t” to “I don’t” when setting food boundaries.
How to navigate social pressures without guilt.
Ways to reset your habits and mindset after burnout.
The importance of emotional nourishment alongside physical health.
The role of food industry manipulation—and how to protect yourself.
Guest Bio
Once a passionate tech strategist designing complex systems for Fortune 500 companies, today's guest now channels that same systems-oriented thinking into helping people reset their lives. As a wellness coach, speaker, and conscious living guide, Najib Khan specializes in helping overwhelmed professionals and families build sustainable, sacred lifestyles.
A Message to Take With You
"Before any transformation can happen, the very first step is self-awareness. Our bodies were designed for a world that no longer exists—and it's time we stop living on autopilot."
 
Connect with Najib and learn more about how you can reclaim wellness: 
Website:  www.namayou.com
Email: najib@namayou.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/najibfkhan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/namayou.official
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/namayou.official
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@najibfkhan
Book a Call to Chat: https://calendly.com/namayou/dc30meet
Oxford Talks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smgas1Hm5Ns
 

Living Without Limits: Erik Seversen on Fear, Courage, and Creating an Extraordinary Life

In today’s inspiring episode, we sit down with Erik Seversen — author, anthropologist, entrepreneur, and global adventurer — to dive into the mindset behind living a life without limits. Erik has visited 99 countries, lived with indigenous tribes, climbed mountains on four continents, and built multiple successful businesses, all while helping over 450 people (including our host!) become bestselling authors.
Erik shares how fear and discomfort can be powerful allies on the journey to growth, how childhood conditioning shapes our beliefs, and why balancing work, family, and self is essential to sustained success. He opens up about his TEDx talk on overcoming fear through community and how the wisdom of an Amazonian tribe reshaped his understanding of courage.
We also explore:
Why comfort is the enemy of progress
The power of taking action (not just dreaming or vision boarding)
How to reclaim childhood dreams and overcome limiting beliefs
Tips for staying productive and focused as a creative entrepreneur
The surprising mindset shift that changed his financial success
Whether you’re a writer, entrepreneur, or simply someone craving a more purposeful life, this episode is filled with real talk, powerful stories, and practical tips. Erik’s journey reminds us that living an extraordinary life is a choice — and one that’s available to all of us.
Learn more about Erik and connect:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikseversen/
https://www.selfpublishingcenter.com/

Year 1 Recap: live into your best life today

Over the past year, 54 episodes of Live Into Your Best Life have been released. Here they are so you can listen to / re-listen to the topics that resonate most…you will get nuggets of inspiration from each show. 
 
Ep 1: Welcome podcast
Ep 2: Embarking on your journey
Ep 3: Manifesting your true intentions
Ep 4: Love & Respect yourself
Ep 5: Navigating your journey to professional happiness
Ep 6: Unlocking your potential - Taylor Bell
Ep 7: Discovering career joy - Claudia Skaja
Ep 8: Transform your life
Ep 9: Unlocking career fulfillment - Chris Christianson
Ep 10: Unlock your potential
Ep 11: Unlocking leadership potential
Ep 12: Mastering personal growth
Ep 13: Aligning inner guidance - Monica Kenton
Ep 14: Mastering energy
Ep 15: Empowering careers - Lauren Neal
Ep 16: Unveiling your iterative journey
Ep 17: Transform your life - Joshua Peters
Ep 18: Mastering your journey
Ep 19: Unlocking career success - Tom Auld
Ep 20: Mastering the art of saying “no”
Ep 21: Unlocking the power of podcasting - Karen Roberts
Ep 22: Stop “shoulding” on yourself
Ep 23: Transformative journeys
Ep 24: Mastering Decisions: the 10-10-10 method
Ep 25: Embracing the journey
Ep 26: Mirror Mirror
Ep 27: What if
Ep 28: Embrace change
Ep 29: Magic, Sales & Resilience - MagicBrad
Ep 30: Words matter
Ep 31: Embracing change: the digital nomad - Diane Gombart
Ep 32: Embracing change: how small choices lead to big transformations
Ep 33: Empowering career growth - Kate Wade
Ep 34: Leaps of faith - Natascha Speets
Ep 35: Gratitude every day
Ep 35: Heart-centered leadership - Sarah Davidson
Ep 36: Embracing life’s transitions: astrology coaching - Patricia Herlevi
Ep 37: Thriving through peri-menopause - Stephanie Crassweller
Ep 38: Seasons of miracles
Ep 39: Take action: the keys to creating the life you deserve
Ep 40: Empowering teams - Alyssa Sharp
Ep 41: Reignite your spark
Ep 42: From rejection to redirection - Kristine Schwartz
Ep 43: Healing through movement & mindfulness - Amy Quarberg
Ep 44: Ageless growth
Ep 45: Buy Yourself - Adele Kamel Whitley
Ep 46: Navigating your journey to professional happiness
Ep 47: Building resilience & redefining success - Lucy Davis
Ep 48: Mastering success - Cliff Skaja
Ep 49: Unlocking intuition, astrology & empowerment - Rev. Joanne Angel BarryColon
Ep 50: Finding focus, fulfillment & the power of serendipity - Steven Puri
Ep 51: Trusting intuition, embracing authenticity & breaking free from the past - Elizabeth Peak
Ep 52: The power of resilience, family & finding purpose - Crystal Skaja

The Power of Resilience, Family, and Finding Purpose

Special Guest: Crystal Kokal
Free giveaway https://www.paulieskaja.com/opt-in1
 
In this heartfelt episode of Live Into Your Best Life, I sit down with my sister, Crystal Kokal, for a deeply personal conversation about our childhood, the values instilled in us, and the way those experiences have shaped our adult lives. We reminisce about growing up on a remote farm, where our tight-knit family of four created unbreakable bonds. Those formative years taught us the importance of resilience, adaptability, and connection—qualities that continue to guide us today.
Crystal shares how her love for planning and travel led her to a career in the travel industry, driven by a desire to help our parents reconnect with distant family. But life, as always, had its twists and turns. She opens up about raising two incredible sons—one who navigated complex systems due to his brilliance and another who overcame medical challenges to thrive. Through it all, she remained steadfast in her commitment to giving back, recalling a major fundraising effort where she helped collect thousands of blankets for Project Linus to support children in need.
We also explore how our mother’s love for cooking influenced Crystal’s entrepreneurial journey. She candidly shares her transition from being a full-time caretaker to rediscovering her passion and skills in a new way. The challenges of major career pivots—especially after global events like 9/11 and COVID—led her to embrace entrepreneurship, launching Sassy Frost, a thriving business specializing in custom sugar cookies and decorating classes. What started as a creative outlet has blossomed into a fulfilling venture that blends artistry, teaching, and community building.
Throughout our conversation, we reflect on the ways childhood experiences shape our mindset, the impact of strong family values, and the importance of allowing children to explore their strengths without rigid expectations.
Key Takeaways:
Childhood experiences and family values shape lifelong resilience.
Career pivots can be opportunities for self-discovery and reinvention.
Parenting requires adaptability—every child has a unique journey.
Giving back to the community can be deeply fulfilling.
Entrepreneurship can emerge from passion and necessity.
Check out Crystal’s beautiful cookies at Sassyfras Cookies
Follow her on Facebook and Instagram

Trusting Intuition, Embracing Authenticity & Breaking Free from the Past

Special Guest: Elizabeth Peak
Free giveaway https://www.paulieskaja.com/opt-in1
 
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Elizabeth Peak, a multifaceted entrepreneur, to explore the deep connection between authenticity, personal growth, and business branding. Elizabeth shares how embracing intuition and aligning our inner and outer selves can unlock creativity, confidence, and success.
We dive into her work in photography, branding, and styling, where she helps individuals showcase their essence through personal branding. Elizabeth explains the importance of feeling safe in one’s body, not just for self-expression but for genuine confidence in business and life. As we navigate an AI-driven world, we also discuss the shift toward personal branding and why real human connection is more valuable than ever.
Elizabeth shares her personal journey of growing up in a highly conservative and isolating environment that resembled a cult. Raised with rigid gender roles, she was taught that women are "owned" first by their fathers and then by their husbands. This belief system led to an arranged marriage and an early life filled with restrictions that stifled her autonomy. Through deep reflection and personal growth, she realized how these teachings left her vulnerable to control and manipulation.
We discuss how conservative communities can inadvertently set women up for abusive relationships by discouraging boundary-setting and self-agency. Elizabeth opens up about how her father’s traumatic childhood shaped his views on women, perpetuating generational cycles of dysfunction. However, she makes it clear that her journey has led her to a place of self-awareness and healing, allowing her to set strong emotional and physical boundaries. While she has moved away from certain aspects of her religious upbringing, she acknowledges that her journey is about personal choice, not rejection of faith.
Key Takeaways:
Intuition is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.
True confidence comes from aligning your inner self with your outward expression.
Childhood experiences shape our beliefs, but we have the power to rewrite our narratives.
Setting boundaries is essential for healthy relationships and self-worth.
Personal branding is about authenticity, not just aesthetics.
Connect with Elizabeth through her website, Your Authentic Reflections, and her in-person women’s circle. Also, learn more about your style at Dressing Your Truth.
Tune in next time for more real, raw conversations about transformation and empowerment!
 

Finding Focus, Fulfillment & The Power of Serendipity

Special Guest: Steven Puri
https://www.TheSukha.co/
Free giveaway https://www.paulieskaja.com/opt-in1
In this episode, I sit down with Steven Puri, founder and CEO of Sukha Co., a company dedicated to helping people improve focus and work-life balance. Steven takes us on a fascinating journey through his career—from interviewing newsmakers as a teenager to working as a junior software engineer, then breaking into the world of Hollywood visual effects. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from blockbuster films like Independence Day and Braveheart and his leadership experience at 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks, where he oversaw major franchises like Die Hard, Wolverine, Star Trek, and Transformers.
We dive into the evolution of filmmaking, exploring how action sequences and CGI have changed storytelling. Steven reflects on the thrill of working with top-tier action writers and what he misses most about Hollywood—mainly the creative spark of original storytelling. But ultimately, he realized that working on endless sequels wasn’t fulfilling. That’s when he shifted gears to something more meaningful—helping people find clarity and productivity in their lives.
Steven gets real about feeling overwhelmed and procrastinating, particularly in the mornings, and how he developed strategies to combat those struggles. His journey led him to build a focus-driven community and create the Sukha app, rooted in the Sanskrit concept of deep, fulfilling happiness. He shares how productivity isn’t just about getting things done—it’s about building a life filled with joy, connection, and purpose.
We also talk about the power of serendipity and how success often comes from unexpected opportunities. 
Key Takeaways:
Overwhelm and procrastination often come from a lack of clarity—getting clear on what you truly want is the first step.
Serendipity plays a huge role in success; staying open to life’s twists and turns can lead to amazing opportunities.
Creativity thrives when the mind is engaged in something else—capture those fleeting ideas before they disappear!
True productivity isn’t about grinding harder—it’s about building a life that allows for joy, connection, and meaning.
We wrap things up with a lighthearted chat about Christmas traditions, favorite holiday movies (yes, Die Hard is one of them!), and, of course, chocolates.
Tune in and discover how you can bring more focus, fulfillment, and serendipity into your life!
 

Unlocking Intuition, Astrology & Empowerment

In this episode of Live Into Your Best Life, I sit down with the incredible Reverend Joanne Angel BarryColon, a powerhouse in holistic wellness and empowerment. As the founder of Holistic Fitness New York LLC, Joanne has dedicated over 40 years to helping women integrate healing, fitness, and astrology into their lives. From her early days as a fitness instructor at just 12 years old to her journey as an off-Broadway dancer and competitive bodybuilder, Joanne has always pushed boundaries and redefined what it means to be strong—physically, mentally, and spiritually.
We kick off the conversation with an exploration of astrology, numerology, and their impact on energy alignment. Joanne explains the significance of planetary shifts, particularly Mars moving between Leo and Cancer, and how these celestial events create an internal push and pull in our lives. She introduces her unique Chakra Balance, Numerology, Cosmic Energy Forecast Deck, a revolutionary tool that blends chakras, numerology, and affirmations to provide daily guidance.
Joanne also shares her deeply personal connection to the month of March, reflecting on her mother’s passing and how she continues to receive spiritual messages. Her ability to connect with intuition has been a guiding force, reinforcing the idea that messages from beyond come in many forms if we are open to receiving them.
Our conversation takes an inspiring turn as Joanne recounts how an astrologer’s prediction led her to become an author—an unexpected but transformational journey. Her multiple publications and features in renowned magazines have solidified her as a thought leader. She also shares her excitement about the upcoming launch of her own magazine on March 5th, a new platform to elevate voices and visibility for others.
Key Takeaways:
Astrology and numerology influence personal energy and decision-making.
Fear is often a signal that you’re on the right path—embrace it!
Spiritual messages can manifest in unexpected ways; trust your intuition.
Visibility is power—Joanne’s journey from author to TV host to magazine founder proves that bold steps create new opportunities.
Join us for this insightful and empowering episode as we explore the intersection of astrology, intuition, and personal growth!
Contact Joann:
www.wholisticfitnessny.com 
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook 
Grab her deck at Deckible

Mastering Success: Cliff Skaja on Leadership, Growth & Resilience

Free giveaway https://www.paulieskaja.com/opt-in1
 
Hi there, and welcome to Live Into Your Best Life! I’m your host, Paulie Skaja, and today’s episode is an intimate look into the wisdom my dad, Cliff Skaja, left behind. Through his everyday actions and simple yet profound phrases—what I like to call Cliffisms—he shaped the way I see the world, and today, I want to share them with you.
My dad wasn’t just a mentor; he was my hero. Even though he’s been gone for nearly 30 years, his lessons still guide me, and I hope they inspire you too.
Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode:
You can do, be, and have anything you want—if you truly want it. Stop living for others and start defining success on your own terms.
Everybody puts their pants on one leg at a time. No one is inherently better than you. I learned this firsthand when I unknowingly had lunch with my company’s CEO and regional VP!
Never judge a book by its cover. Some of the best opportunities and relationships come from unexpected places.
Life is too short to live for other people. I spent years trying to fit in, only to realize that embracing who I truly am brings the most joy and fulfillment.
Treat people the way you want to be treated. Even when faced with bullies or difficult people, kindness and understanding will always lead to better outcomes.
Never ask someone to do what you’re unwilling to do yourself. My dad led by example, even when it came to cleaning the workplace bathrooms. Leadership is about action, not just words.
These lessons aren’t just for reflection—they’re a call to action. How can you apply them to your own life? Let’s continue the conversation and inspire each other to live into our best lives.
Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and share it with someone who could use a little inspiration today.
 

Building Resilience & Redefining Success with Lucy Davis

Free giveaway https://www.paulieskaja.com/opt-in1
 
In this episode of Live Into Your Best Life, I sit down with Lucy Davis, an accomplished entrepreneur and contractor with over 20 years of experience in residential and commercial property management. Lucy has built a thriving career in the construction industry—specializing in roofs, siding, windows, gutters, and solar shingles—all while breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Lucy’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering determination. After losing her husband in 2023, she not only took on the responsibility of running her business but also dedicated herself to guiding her four children into the world of entrepreneurship. She shares how she is instilling in them the values of financial responsibility, teamwork, and perseverance by actively involving them in the family business.
During our conversation, Lucy opens up about a life-changing moment when she realized her work-life balance had reached an unsustainable level. When her daughter tried to connect with her, but she was too engrossed in work to be present, Lucy knew something had to change. She made the difficult decision to shut down her business to prioritize her family and mental well-being—a move that, while challenging, ultimately led her to a more fulfilling and balanced life.
Lucy also reflects on her upbringing, growing up in a family-run cleaning business that started small and grew into a million-dollar company. Her mother, having escaped a cult, built the business from the ground up, teaching Lucy the importance of resilience and entrepreneurship. Now, as a marketing director in the construction industry, Lucy continues to redefine her success while ensuring she maintains the balance she once struggled with.
Throughout our discussion, we dive into the power of taking ownership of one’s success, navigating career pivots, and making tough decisions that align with our personal values. Lucy’s journey is a testament to the importance of adaptability, grit, and building a legacy that extends beyond financial success.
Key Takeaways:
Success is earned, not given—Lucy teaches her children the value of hard work and financial responsibility.
Work-life balance is critical—making tough decisions to prioritize family can lead to greater fulfillment.
Resilience is built through challenges—Lucy’s journey from personal loss to professional reinvention exemplifies true perseverance.
Owning your success means taking action rather than waiting for recognition.
Career pivots, even the difficult ones, can open new doors to growth and opportunity.
This episode is packed with inspiration, wisdom, and actionable insights for anyone looking to navigate life’s challenges with strength and purpose. Tune in and be inspired by Lucy’s incredible journey!
 
Connect with Lucy:
lucy.davis@estateclaimservices.com
linkedin.com/in/lucystange-davis
estateclaimservices.com
facebook.com/LucyMarketingSpecialist