At a time when the profound is too often reduced to cheap memes and goofy bumper stickers Maxim EQ heads in the opposite direction—digging deeper to examine the commonalities and differences in our perceptions around a particular adage. In each episode we’ll discuss our guests’ take on a thought provoking phrase or maxim that encourages self-reflection and personal growth—for us, but hopefully for you as well.
If you’re looking for a podcast that blends philosophy, psychology, and everyday wisdom into engaging conversations, Maxim EQ is the perfect companion for your commute, workout, or daily walk.
“We Live to Survive Our Paradoxes” takes a line from The Tragically Hip and asks what it might mean to live with the contradictions that are an unavoidable part of being human. Sam and I are joined but our guest for this episode, Mark Evanoff to explore the tension between freedom and security, independence and belonging, optimism and reality, and whether maturity is less about resolving those contradictions than learning to hold them at the same time. Mark, an educator and school counselor, ...
7 Sept 2026
Live Each Day as Though it’s Your Last, and Eventually it Will Be. Live Each Day as Though it’s Your First, and Eventually it Will Be
What does it actually mean to live each day as though it were your last? And what changes when we flip the idea around and try to live each day as though it were our first? Our guest Matt Goldman joins us to unpack a maxim he brought to the conversation: “Live each day as though it’s your last, and eventually it will be. Live each day as though it’s your first, and eventually it will be.” This episode explores the tension between urgency and wonder, and why the two approaches may be more powe...
17 Aug 2026
Success Lies in Its Indifference to Recognition
What happens when we stop measuring success by how much recognition we receive for it? Caroline Flynn joins Mike and Sam to unpack the maxim “Success Lies in its Indifference to Recognition” and explore what it means to pursue something because it matters to us—not because we’re waiting for someone else to notice. The conversation moves from social media and the endless pursuit of likes and validation to the long game of building a career, raising a teenager, and finding satisfaction in a job...
27 Jul 2026
Embrace Distractions for Better Outcomes
Conventional wisdom often tells us to eliminate distractions if we want to do our best work. But what if that's only part of the story? In this episode of Maxim EQ, Sam and I, along our guest Jorge Castellanos explore the idea that strategic distraction can actually improve creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making. Drawing on personal experiences and insights, we discuss why our best ideas sometimes arrive when we're least expecting them, and how embracing the right kinds of dis...
6 Jul 2026
Growth Doesn't Erase Difficulty, It Reframes It
Growth is often imagined as a way to leave life's challenges behind. But what if real growth doesn't eliminate difficulty, it simply changes how we experience it? In this episode of Maxim EQ, Sam and I are joined by retired UCLA technology manager and former touring musician Greg Vincent to explore the maxim: "Growth doesn't erase difficulty, it reframes it." Drawing on stories from sports, music, relationships, and career transitions, the conversation explores how maturity gives us the persp...
15 Jun 2026
Perception is a Mirror
What does it really mean when we say Perception is a Mirror? In this thoughtful and deeply personal episode of Maxim EQ, hosts Mike Baumer and Sam Wahl are joined by Los Angeles-based artist, producer, and event professional Vera Lee to explore the idea that the way we experience the world is often a reflection of what’s happening within us. Drawing from her work in live event production, creative pursuits, and personal journey of self-discovery, Vera shares how confidence, identity, and emot...
12 Feb 2026
Season 1 Bonus: A Listener Joins the Conversation
In this special season 1 finale of Maxim EQ, we turn the conversation outward by inviting a listener to join the show. From the beginning, Maxim EQ was created with the hope that the ideas we explored wouldn’t just be interesting — but would also spark reflection and invite listeners to relate them to their own lives. Well, that’s exactly what happened. In this episode, our guest Phil Bergren shares how several Season 1 topics resonated deeply with him and ultimately inspired him to step into...
22 Jan 2026
Depth Over Frequency
In this episode, Sam and I are joined by Jarmal Arnold to explore the idea of Depth Over Frequency—a reflection on what we stand to gain when we slow down, go deeper, and resist the constant pull of surface-level engagement. In a world optimized for speed, metrics, and endless scrolling, we’re often encouraged to value frequency over meaning: more posts, more hot takes, more noise. But what happens when we choose depth instead? When we prioritize fewer inputs, more substantive conversations, ...
1 Jan 2026
Don’t Let What You Can’t Do Interfere With What You Can Do
In this episode, we explore our first listener-suggested maxim: “Don’t let what you can’t do interfere with what you can do.” The saying is primarily attributed to legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, and its message is as practical as it is timeless. Sam and I unpack this adage with our guest, Mike Piehl of Somerville, MA, examining how focusing on forward motion—rather than limitations—can unlock progress in work, creativity, and life. The phrase isn’t about ignoring challenges or ...
11 Dec 2025
We Often Suffer More in Our Imagination Than We Do in Reality
While this episode is far from a high-falutin academic deep dive into Seneca’s maxim, we do unpack the very real—and largely unhelpful—habit of catastrophizing: how a relatively small setback can snowball into a full-blown worst-case scenario, and the impact that pattern can have on our well-being. We also dig into the practical foundations that help us show up more fully in every part of life—thoughtful time management, emotional regulation, and intentional self-care. And finally, we acknowl...
20 Nov 2025
Welcome the Noise, It Might Carry the Signal
We’ve all heard the advice: tune out the noise. But what if that noise is where the valuable signal lives? In this episode, Sam, Lysa, and I dive into the power of paying attention to what may be tempting to ignore. Perhaps we’re actually being invited to listen more closely and observe with greater discernment—because the more “noise” we welcome in, the more opportunity we create to connect, learn, and grow. Thanks for listening, Mike Share your feedback
30 Oct 2025
Comparison is the Theft of Joy
This engaging episode of Maxim EQ dives deep into the adage “Comparison is the Theft of Joy” with guest Chris Hancock, an integrative therapist and former musician who blends psychology, spirituality, and lived experience. Together we discuss how our natural tendency to compare—especially in the age of social media—often leads to despair and disconnection. Yet, when approached consciously, comparison can be redirected toward empathy and self-understanding. We explore how healing comes from id...
9 Oct 2025
Know Thyself
The ancient maxim “Know thyself” is certainly timeless—but what does it really look like in everyday life? In this episode, we're joined by our guest Laurie Blanchard to explore self-awareness not as a philosophical idea, but as a lived practice that evolves over decades and through every chapter of our lives. Together with Laurie, we dig into the real, sometimes messy journey of personal growth—sharing stories, lessons, and tactics that help us stay grounded, reflective, and authentic. Lauri...
18 Sept 2025
Perfect is a Fault, and Fault Lines Change
In this episode, Sam and I are joined by musician and certified social worker John Deaderick to delve into a powerful lyric from the R.E.M. song “I Believe”: “Perfect is a fault, and fault lines change.” Using this as our launching point, we dive into the nature of perfection and perfectionism, and explore how embracing flexibility can transform our relationships, creativity, and personal well-being John shares both personal stories and professional insights, revealing how our notions of “per...
28 Aug 2025
Mountain?, or a Series of Molehills?
In this episode, Sam and I are joined by Cara Price, a modeling and wellness coach from Kansas City, for a conversation exploring the maxim “Mountain?, or a Series of Molehills?” Cara brings thoughtful, real-world perspectives on this idea—drawing from both her personal journey and her holistic work with clients. She shares how reframing challenges can make a huge difference in reaching goals, staying balanced, and easing the anxiety that often comes with overcoming big obstacles. We ho...
6 Aug 2025
Empathy is Mutually Beneficial
In this episode of Maxim EQ, Sam and I are joined by John Dykstra to explore a simple but powerful idea: Empathy is Mutually Beneficial. Empathy has become a buzzword in recent years, but we go beyond the surface—unpacking what it really means, why it matters, and how it can impact both your relationships and your own well-being. John offers thoughtful and practical insights drawn from his unique life and work on Alaska’s remote North Slope. 📌 Note: The limited internet bandwidth in the Arcti...
17 Jul 2025
Introduction to Maxim EQ
In this introductory episode of the Maxim EQ podcast, Sam and I share the story behind the show—along with a brief look into our 30 year friendship. We reflect on how Maxim EQ came to life, why we decided to create it together, and what listeners can expect moving forward. We hope you you’ll enjoy it and tune in to subsequent episodes to listen in on engaging conversations with our guests as we explore original ideas, timeless maxims, and thought-provoking lyrics—served up in monthly episodes...
17 Jul 2025
Did I Quit, or Did I Self-Graduate?
In this episode of Maxim EQ, Sam and I are joined by our longtime friend Aaron Lippert to explore the value of quitting—or as I sometimes prefer to label it, “self-graduating.” We dig into the language around quitting, how word choice shapes perception, and share personal stories about crossroads in our life experiences around trying to figure out when it’s time to move on. Whether it’s leaving a job, a relationship, or a mindset, this conversation is about taking agency and recognizing growt...
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