Backseat Driver

Mary Martin is an extraordinary example of turning tragedies into triumphs. Listen in, as she shares her heartbreaking story of being diagnosed with a debilitating disease at the height of her dancing career and how she has learned to deal with the obstacles that she faces every day. Her story will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.

Kirk Voss is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Since 2006, he has worked with individuals, couples and families to heal and address a variety of emotional and relational issues. Kirk believes that what often brings clients to therapy is their loss of balance - clients either desire to attain a personal balance of positive well-being, or to restore the balance which as been lost. In this episode, Kirk discusses the underlying core needs behind all of our emotional challenges and brings solutions for relationship hurdles. Don’t miss this one!!

*PARENTAL GUIDANCE: Santa spoiler included as part of one of Richard's stories!* 

Each of us has a story.  Most contain common features - adventure, some sort of crisis, a struggle, learning, growth and ultimately, triumph over adversity. Just last week, I took on a challenge to write my autobiography in one page. I cheated. I wrote two pages. It was difficult to sum up a lifetime of challenges and opportunities that have molded me into who I am today; or at least, who I think I am. As I pondered over the experiences that have transformed me, challenged me or made a difference in my life, I noticed something. All of those experiences were very difficult. Infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, divorce, betrayal - painful, painful things to go through. And yet, those experiences each brought with them a message. That I CAN. That I am not what happens to me. That time truly does heal. And that there is always, always hope. I'm kicking off season two with one of my personal hero's - Richard Paul Evans.  His story is nothing short of amazing (and I'll bet it's one you haven't heard before). Richard is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels. There are currently more than thirty-five million copies of his books in print worldwide, translated into more than twenty-four languages. Richard has won several esteemed awards and is the founder of, “The Christmas Box International,” an organization devoted to maintaining emergency children’s shelters and providing services and resources for abused, neglected or homeless children, teens and young adults. 

In this episode, the backseat drivers discuss the difficult and sometimes painful process of decision making. Don’t miss the crucial ending, and don’t worry, Backseat Driver is here to stay. More episodes coming soon!

Even therapists need therapy! Have you ever wondered if your therapist has a therapist?  Have you ever wanted to listen in on one of their sessions?  Now's your chance!  Listen in as Mark counsels Niki on breaking her addiction to the small screen and then Niki counsels Mark on breaking his addiction to perfectionism.   

By simplifying and organizing your life to include what is essential and eliminating what is not, you can create a life that is built around meaning and purpose.  Join the Backseat Drivers, Niki and Mark, for a discussion with Anna McKeown and learn more about Essentialism and how you can apply it to improve your life and relationships.   Get started by taking the Essentialism Quiz at https://gregmckeown.com/quiz/ Anna McKeown is an accomplished actress, mother, wife, homeschool headmistress and an early influencer of the 'Essentialism' movement.  Anna is married to Greg McKeown author of the New York Times bestselling book 'Essentialism - The Disciplined Pursuit of Less.  Find out more about Essentialism at https://essentialism.com/ or buy Greg McKeown's book at https://amzn.to/3bZDPXv.  Greg just released a 21 Day Essentialism Challenge for $49. You can get this for free if you buy the recently released paperback of Essentialism at https://amzn.to/3bZDPXv. 

Is adversity an affliction or could it be an investment? To make life more fulfilling, you have to challenge yourself. World Record holder Martin Frey is the first person to climb the Seven Summits and also to sail the Seven Seas. Join the Backseat Drivers as we chat about how to summit your own peaks and weather your personal storms and accomplish your life’s goals. You can find out more about Martin's journey at https://7summits7seas.org.  And... you can find out more about joining Martin on future adventures by visiting https://www.summitjourneys.org/ 

You often hear about changing your thoughts which then helps change your actions.  Did you know that you can also change your behavior which can change your mind? A.J. Jacobs is a renowned journalist and author. Through his own human guinea pig experiments, he embarks on lifestyle changing adventures that combine humor and reality-based knowledge that inspires others to stop and smell the roses . . . and the dirt! Join the Backseat Drivers - Niki Bennett and Mark Yamada - for a fun and insightful discussion with A.J. Jacobs that is a perfect way to kick off the new year!   

To learn more about A.J., follow him on Twitter @ajjacobs, visit his website at https://ajjacobs.com/ or check out his latest book,  Thanks a Thousand: A Gratitude Journey.   

Everyone wants to be treated with kindness, respect, and love. Differences and diversity stir interest and curiosity in some, while others react with fear and anger. Only real understanding and accurate knowledge can dispel fear, heal wounds, and build bridges of inclusion. Everyone can make a difference in making the world a more welcoming place for people who are LGBTQ+.

Have you ever considered that love and happiness are not only good feelings, but a lifestyle? Listen in as Peggy and Art Hannemann tell their story of how a little burger shop with humble beginnings can be your guide to a happy life. It’s not just what you do but how you do it. In 2009 on a whim, they bought a hole in the wall restaurant, in the small country town of Kahuku, Oahu and Seven Brothers was born. Immediately it became their second home, the place where they gathered to create delicious food to fill their bellies after surfing and talk about the magic of the day. A place where they have continued to live the story of their lives— of work, loyalty and family but mostly of love and happiness. Although they have grown from the original Seven Brothers, and as a family with their wives and children of their own, the dream is the same and so is the place. A place where you will always find a family aiming to serve God and others first. A place where everyone is welcome. Where they want everyone to find not only the best food but the best feeling possible. A place where it’s not just a meal, but a lifestyle.  Find out more about Seven Brothers at http://www.sevenbrothersburgers.com/our-strory

Therapists are ordinary people too. We worry about being good enough to help our clients. We keep learning as we go and reflect on the insights that arise from listening to our guests. We often record our reflection conversations but usually don’t release these recordings. But we felt that this one shares a bit more of the personal Niki and Mark with our listeners. Listen in on Mark and Niki’s backseat conversation about how Annette’s story affected us.

How do you find the will to keep going when everything you lived for is taken away? In an instant, Annette lost everything that was important to her. What do you do when it feels like you have nothing left; when you don't even know where to start? Listen to Annette's inspiring story of creating incredible joy and purpose after everything was lost.

OCD can take over your life. You may not be able to choose what you feel, but you can always choose how you’re going to react to it. Sarah shares how she faces her obsessions and compulsions and manages living with OCD. Join the backseat drivers (Niki and Mark) for a conversation with Sarah Thomas about how she took back her life and is no longer held hostage by OCD.

We’ve all made mistakes and done things that we regret. Most of the time things to fade into the past And they don’t become part of our story. What happens when one of those mistakes continues to come up again and again and becomes hard to let go. What happens when you’ve grown and changed significantly as a person and those past mistakes don’t reflect who you are and yet others remain stuck in your old story? How can we let go of the past, forgive ourselves for past mistakes and forgive others up and write a new story for everyone involved? Jimmy Donahoo served four years in federal prison. Join the backseat drivers and hear about Jimmy‘s story and learn about the importance of kindness, forgiving yourself and forgiving others and what it takes to rewrite your new story. Find Jimmy on instagram @jimmydonahoo or at https://www.jimmydonahoo.net 

Do you know anyone who has overcome challenge after challenge after challenge only to become better each time?  Fiona Solis is one of those people.  She is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, has coped with an eating disorder, the divorce of her parents and moving to a new place and culture and more.  Fiona has dealt with all of these issues and more with a level of grace, forgiveness, insight and love that is uncommon for her age.  Join the backseat drivers (Niki and Mark) for a conversation with Fiona Solis about her journey through these challenges and commitment to becoming her best self.

We all love personality tests... especially when they reveal truths about us or someone we know.  Most are based on the behaviors we observe. What if there was a way to go deeper and understand the core motives that drive behaviors (both good and bad) and create our personalities? Would you take that test? Dr. Taylor Hartman is the author of The Color Code and a very successful clinical therapist with two PhD’s after his name.  Taylor will tell you that his greatest achievement in life is not those PhD’s... it is helping individuals to see themselves clearly for the first time.  Join Niki Bennett LCSW and Mark Yamada PhD (aka the backseat drivers) for a fun conversation with Dr. Taylor Hartman.  Learn about the basis of the Color Code  and how you can use it to better understand yourself and others you know and love.  Listeners can take the test for FREE at http://taylorhartman.com/personality-profile?. You can find more information about Taylor’s work at http://taylorhartman.com/ and/or contact him directly at taylor@taylorhartman.com. 

Have you ever found yourself at a point where, despite all of your efforts, your life just isn't working?  Today's guest, Ryan Allen, describes a point in his life where he was numbing out instead of turning in.  Using exercise, drugs, sex, fashion, vanity, pornography, and you-name-it practices to work around the things in life that didn’t feel true instead of moving toward or through them. This left him frustrated, guarded, and disconnected from himself and the gifts he didn’t know he had. It also catapulted him onto a spiritual path he's still on today... 

Have you been hurt by someone or something that you just can't let go?  We know that holding on to hurt and pain really only hurts us and that the best thing to do is to forgive and move on but that is so much easier said than done!  How do you let go of pain and suffering and move on?  Hop into the drivers seat and let Mark and Niki (the backseat drivers) guide you through the process of letting go.  A perfect listen for anyone holding on to pain or for someone who wants to help a loved one let go and move on.  

We all have to wear a mask at times.  In some situations, we need these masks to protect us.   At other times, these masks keep us from experiencing deep connection with ourselves and others.  What mask (or masks) do you wear?  And... are they supporting your highest and best self?  What is the mask that you need to take off?  

Masaki Yamada (also know as Mark) was born in Japan; listen in as he recounts his family's journey to the US, overcoming racial intolerance and learning to remain calm in the eye of the storm.  

This episode is a result of your questions asking how we know each other and what our stories are; we recorded on this topic a few months ago as a practice recording with no intent to ever publish it.  By popular demand, here it is (apologies for some of the poor audio)!  THANK YOU your feedback on our first two episodes!  Please keep the reviews coming (we read every one). 

Listeners  asked how we know each other and what our stories are; we recorded an episode on this topic a few months ago as a practice  recording with no intent to ever publish it.   By popular demand, here it is (apologies for some of the poor audio)!  We hope you enjoy it.  

And... THANK YOU your feedback on our first episode (Father's Day)!  Please keep the reviews coming (we read every one!).  

Father's day is an opportunity to honor those who brought us into this world. Some want a closer relationship but have no idea where to start. Others want nothing to do with their fathers because of past hurt and pain. In this episode, Mark and Niki provide ideas to improve one of the most challenging relationships that we have.  Those who we love the most are also the ones who can hurt us the most.  Listen in as the backseat drivers (Mark and Niki) share their own challenges and provide helpful and healing advice we all can benefit from.  

A new podcast with Niki Bennett LCSW (aka the 'Backseat Driver'). Niki is a practicing psychotherapist who works with clients young and old. Jump in the drivers seat and listen in as Niki and her guests boil down years of experience to help you improve your life and relationships. Join the ride as they teach “HOW to do the WHAT to do.” New episodes added a few times each month.