What happens when the dream life you've spent decades building feels more like a nightmare you can't wake up from?

Today’s conversation is for the person who looks successful on the outside... but feels quietly disconnected on the inside. If you’ve ever wondered:

  • Why do I feel empty when everything looks “right”?
  • Why am I exhausted by a life I’m supposed to be proud of?
  • Why does walking away feel both terrifying and necessary?

This episode will hit close to home.


What This Episode Is Really About

In this deeply honest conversation, I sit down with Matthew Blades—a former nationally syndicated radio host who spent 28 years living the dream so many people chase.

The career.

The money.

The recognition.

The life everyone else wanted.

And yet… it nearly cost him everything.

This is the story of what happens when success stops being enough, when your body forces you to listen, and when the bravest move forward is the one that looks like quitting from the outside.

But make no mistake—this isn’t a story about giving up.

It’s a story about waking up.


Inside This Conversation, We Explore:

  • What it feels like to succeed publicly while quietly falling apart
  • The moment your body starts screaming what your mind has been ignoring
  • Why panic attacks, burnout, and chronic stress are often messages—not malfunctions
  • The difference between building a life and living one
  • What it really means to “blow up what you built” without destroying yourself
  • How generational patterns, unhealed trauma, and outdated beliefs quietly shape our decisions
  • Why the hardest conversations are often the most freeing ones
  • How to walk away from an identity you’ve worn for decades—and rebuild from truth


If You’re Listening Right Now…

This episode isn’t asking you to quit your job.

It’s asking you to listen to yourself.

To notice the quiet signals you’ve been explaining away.

To question whether the life you’re maintaining is still the life you want.

To consider that walking away doesn’t mean you failed—it may mean you finally chose yourself.

You don’t need to have all the answers.

You just need the courage to ask the right questions.


One Final Thought

If this conversation stirred something in you... Don’t rush to quiet it. That discomfort might be clarity knocking. And sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is stop pretending everything is fine.


Hey, it's Kevin!

I hope you enjoyed today's episode! If there is ever anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to reach out. Below, you will find ALL the places and ALL the ways to connect!




Stay Awesome! Live Inspired!

© 2025 Grit, Grace, & Inspiration

...

Show Notes

What happens when the dream life you've spent decades building feels more like a nightmare you can't wake up from?

Today’s conversation is for the person who looks successful on the outside... but feels quietly disconnected on the inside. If you’ve ever wondered:

  • Why do I feel empty when everything looks “right”?
  • Why am I exhausted by a life I’m supposed to be proud of?
  • Why does walking away feel both terrifying and necessary?

This episode will hit close to home.


What This Episode Is Really About

In this deeply honest conversation, I sit down with Matthew Blades—a former nationally syndicated radio host who spent 28 years living the dream so many people chase.

The career.

The money.

The recognition.

The life everyone else wanted.

And yet… it nearly cost him everything.

This is the story of what happens when success stops being enough, when your body forces you to listen, and when the bravest move forward is the one that looks like quitting from the outside.

But make no mistake—this isn’t a story about giving up.

It’s a story about waking up.


Inside This Conversation, We Explore:

  • What it feels like to succeed publicly while quietly falling apart
  • The moment your body starts screaming what your mind has been ignoring
  • Why panic attacks, burnout, and chronic stress are often messages—not malfunctions
  • The difference between building a life and living one
  • What it really means to “blow up what you built” without destroying yourself
  • How generational patterns, unhealed trauma, and outdated beliefs quietly shape our decisions
  • Why the hardest conversations are often the most freeing ones
  • How to walk away from an identity you’ve worn for decades—and rebuild from truth


If You’re Listening Right Now…

This episode isn’t asking you to quit your job.

It’s asking you to listen to yourself.

To notice the quiet signals you’ve been explaining away.

To question whether the life you’re maintaining is still the life you want.

To consider that walking away doesn’t mean you failed—it may mean you finally chose yourself.

You don’t need to have all the answers.

You just need the courage to ask the right questions.


One Final Thought

If this conversation stirred something in you... Don’t rush to quiet it. That discomfort might be clarity knocking. And sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is stop pretending everything is fine.


Hey, it's Kevin!

I hope you enjoyed today's episode! If there is ever anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to reach out. Below, you will find ALL the places and ALL the ways to connect!




Stay Awesome! Live Inspired!

© 2025 Grit, Grace, & Inspiration


This podcast is designed specifically for those seeking healing from trauma, relief from anxiety, overcoming fear of the unknown, resolving isolation, rebuilding self-worth, confronting guilt and shame, personal growth after trauma, finding their life's purpose, recovering from emotional distress, conquering limiting beliefs, navigating identity shifts, building resilience, rebuilding relationships, coping with chronic pain, searching for spiritual direction, embracing inner strength, cultivating hope, overcoming self-doubt, reclaiming their future, and experiencing post-traumatic growth.

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