What’s On Your Mind is where real talk meets real growth. Hosted by psychotherapist Mark Calder and certified life coach Will Poli, each episode dives into the everyday struggles that keep us stuck — and how to move through them with clarity, purpose, and self-ownership. Two perspectives. One honest conversation.
Hope
Hope is often celebrated as one of life's greatest virtues, but can there be such a thing as unhealthy hope? In this episode of What's On Your Mind, Mark and Will explore the psychology, philosophy, and theology of hope, examining how it helps us endure suffering, persevere through uncertainty, and find meaning in difficult seasons. They also discuss the subtle dangers of hope when it becomes attached to specific outcomes, unrealistic expectations, or an inability to accept the present moment.
Drawing from clinical psychology, mindfulness, and Scripture, the conversation explores the relationship between hope, faith, acceptance, and resilience. Mark and Will challenge listeners to cultivate a form of hope that inspires action without becoming escapism, balancing anticipation for what could be with gratitude for what already is. The result is a thoughtful discussion on one of humanity's most essential virtues and how to harness it without allowing it to pull us away from the life unfolding in front of us.
29 Jun 2026
Authentically Ambitious
Is ambition a virtue, a vice, or something in between? In this episode of What's On Your Mind, Mark and Will explore the true nature of ambition and challenge many of the assumptions people hold about what it means to be successful. Rather than viewing ambition as the pursuit of status, wealth, or recognition, they examine how healthy ambition is rooted in values, purpose, stewardship, and the intentional pursuit of what matters most.The conversation explores the difference between borrowed ambitions and authentic ambitions, how contentment and ambition can coexist, and why maximizing every opportunity is not the same as living a meaningful life. Mark and Will discuss the dangers of comparison-driven striving, the role of gratitude in sustaining healthy ambition, and how aligning ambition with your deepest values can lead to both greater fulfillment and greater impact. Whether your goal is building a business, raising a family, serving your community, or growing into the person you were created to become, this episode offers a framework for pursuing excellence without losing yourself in the process.
22 Jun 2026
On Anger
Anger is one of the most misunderstood emotions we experience. It can motivate us to confront injustice, establish healthy boundaries, and make meaningful changes in our lives. It can also damage relationships, cloud judgment, and keep us trapped in cycles of resentment. In this episode of What's On Your Mind, Mark and Will explore the dual nature of anger, examining how it can function as both a powerful source of motivation and a destructive force when left unchecked.
Drawing from psychology, neuroscience, and personal experience, they discuss the biology of anger, why it often feels empowering, and how it frequently serves as a secondary emotion masking deeper feelings such as hurt, fear, shame, or disappointment. The conversation also explores anger's impact on empathy and compassion, why angry people often become less curious and more certain, and how learning to understand the message beneath the anger can transform it from poison into productive fuel for growth, healing, and positive action.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
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