Author: Paul Gichia

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The Discipline of Scent

John Launius:

The Discipline of Scent

When John discovered the link between incense and martial arts, he began to see fragrance not as perfume, but as presence. His journey explores how ancient practices can unlock modern clarity, calm, and connection.

Bio

John Launius follows the path of many disciplines. He is an accomplished business executive, educator, fragrance expert, martial artist, and healer, whose work bridges the worlds of media, mindfulness, and human transformation.

As President and CEO of Shihan Wellness, John guides individuals and organizations toward balance, clarity, and purpose through his signature modalities The Incense Journey™ and Fragrance Hypnosis™, both rooted in neuroscience, the Japanese Way of Incense (Kōdō), and modern hypnotherapy. Trained for more than a decade under a Japanese Kōmoto, he brings ancient fragrance wisdom into contemporary settings to support emotional regulation, peak performance, and deep self-awareness.

In parallel, John serves as Director of Community Outreach for the Special Operations Charity Network (SOCN), leading the Find Your Tribe Initiative, which provides mental health and wellness support for veterans and first responders through experiences that restore connection, calm, and resilience. His work with SOCN, The Kaufman Fund, and the Grunt Style Foundation reflects his lifelong commitment to service and healing for those who serve others.

John is also Director of Strategic Operations at Lifetime Media, a national production company based in St. Louis. There, he merges creative vision with strategic leadership, supporting high-profile media and corporate storytelling projects that inspire audiences nationwide.

As an Adjunct Professor at Webster University, he teaches Media Business & Entrepreneurship, equipping the next generation of creators and entrepreneurs with the mindset, structure, and strategy to build meaningful enterprises in today’s media landscape.

An author, speaker, and master storyteller, John wrote The Life and Times of Missouri’s Charles Parsons: Between Art and War and is currently developing Love and Letters in World War II, a narrative nonfiction based on the correspondence of his grandparents, a timeless exploration of love, resilience, and humanity.

John’s unique background spans government, education, technology, media, and healing arts. His teachings emphasize the refinement of perception, mastery of mind, and harmony with the way life is. Whether in a studio, classroom, or an incense ceremony, his presence invites transformation.

Topics

  • The Ancient Connection Between Incense and Martial Arts
  • The Neuroscience of Fragrance and Focus
  • Mind Like Water: Lessons from Eastern Philosophy
  • How Ritual Creates Mindfulness in Modern Life
  • The Samurai’s Secret: Fragrance and Battle Readiness
  • Discipline as a Path to Inner Stillness
  • Sensory Awareness and Conscious Leadership
  • Restoring Focus in a Distracted World
  • Martial Arts as Spiritual Practice
  • Fragrance as a Bridge to the Divine

Guiding Questions

  • What first drew you to both incense and martial arts as a child?
  • How did those early experiences shape your understanding of focus and discipline?
  • What have you learned about the connection between scent and the human mind?
  • Why did ancient warriors use incense before battle—and what can we learn from that today?
  • Can fragrance really change our state of mind in moments?
  • What does “mind like incense” mean in your philosophy?
  • How do you help modern professionals or soldiers find stillness amid chaos?
  • What are the parallels between physical training and spiritual awareness?
  • How has your understanding of discipline evolved over four decades of practice?
  • What role do ritual and fragrance play in helping us reconnect with what’s sacred?

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Closure Without Revenge

Tina T. Meeks:

Closure Without Revenge

That one phone call with her childhood bully changed everything. What began as an honest conversation about pain evolved into a journey of forgiveness, faith, and finding peace in the most unexpected places.

Bio

As a Fractional Finance & Systems Controller with her own business since 2022, SCOREE Services LLC, my expertise lies in enhancing profitability through financial software systems and strategic organizational advice.

Our team has successfully consulted with single family property management firms nationwide to foster growth and efficiency. The skill set I’ve honed includes IT data analysis with focus on financial control, which are integral to the success of small businesses in the competitive real estate landscape.

 

At Bottom Line Property Management, I revamped accounting operations, managed communications with over 500 investors, and collaborated on annual budgets and compliance with focus on evictions during Covid and steered the team in the retrieval of over $750k in assistance to keep residents in their homes and investors mortgages paid.

This experience has equipped me with a deep understanding of investor relations, value of tax compliance, ensuring accuracy and harnessing strategic financial planning. My mission is to leverage technology and financial acumen to empower businesses, driving sustainable growth and success.

Topics

  • Forgiveness and Healing from Bullying
  • Understanding the Psychology of Bullies
  • Finding Closure Without Revenge
  • Adult Bullying in the Workplace
  • Empathy as a Path to Freedom
  • Turning Pain into Purpose
  • Signs, Symbols, and Spiritual Healing
  • Teaching Children Compassion Through Example
  • Reclaiming Personal Power After Trauma
  • The Fine Line Between Bullying and Abuse

Guiding Questions

  • How did your friendship with your former bully begin?
  • What surprised you most about understanding the “why” behind bullying?
  • How is adult bullying different from what we experience as children?
  • What role did forgiveness play in your own healing journey?
  • You mentioned the “dimes” — what do they symbolize for you now?
  • How did that conversation with your bully shift your view of control and power?
  • What advice do you have for people seeking closure they may never get directly?
  • How can leaders recognize and address bullying behaviors in professional settings?
  • What lessons did you learn about compassion—even for those who’ve hurt you?
  • How do you hope your story can prevent others from reaching a point of despair or suicide?

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The Self-Sabotage Tango

Ly Smith:

The Self-Sabotage Tango

When success comes, self-doubt often follows. Ly Smith’s story explores how she learned to reframe imposter syndrome—not as a weakness, but as a signal that she’s leveling up.

Bio

Ly is a motivational speaker, best-selling author, and creator of The CANDY Method™. She helps women entrepreneurs shift from REACTORS to CREATORS by teaching mindset, self-talk, and purpose-driven action. After overcoming a three-year depression and rebuilding her life in eight months, Ly now empowers women to quiet their inner critic, amplify their self-belief, and take clear and confident action to lead boldly and live fully.

Topics

  • Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
  • Reframing Self-Doubt into Strength
  • The Psychology of Self-Sabotage
  • From Reaction to Creation Mindset
  • The Power of Mindset Shifts
  • Building Confidence Through Action
  • NLP Tools for Everyday Success
  • Finding Purpose Beyond Fear
  • Leadership Through Authenticity
  • Turning Resistance into Momentum

Guiding Questions

  • What does “self-sabotage tango” mean to you?
  • When did you first realize imposter syndrome was showing up in your journey?
  • How can leaders and entrepreneurs reframe fear as a sign of growth?
  • What practical steps can someone take to shift from reaction to creation?
  • Why do you believe imposter syndrome can actually signal success?
  • How does NLP help in reshaping our perception of challenges?
  • What role does laughter or lightness play in managing resistance?
  • How can entrepreneurs recognize when they’re giving away their power?
  • What are the “three G’s” — genius, gifts, and greatness — and how do they shape success?
  • How can small mindset shifts lead to more clarity, courage, and fulfillment?

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Building Resilient Teams

Michael Payne:

Building Resilient Teams

Resilient teams thrive under stress when leaders balance support, autonomy, and accountability.

Bio

Hi, I’m Michael Payne — founder of coexius. With a background in both software engineering and business management, I’ve spent the past two decades helping organizations bridge the gap between vision and execution.

I’ve been an independent consultant and business owner since 2018, and in 2023 I launched coexius as a focused consultancy to expand that work. I’ve worked with clients across the U.S. on everything from cloud migration to application architecture, always with a focus on building reliable, scalable systems that align with what your business actually needs — not just what’s trendy.

Topics

  • Resilience in Software Teams
  • Balancing Support and Autonomy
  • Creating Adaptive Cultures
  • Recognizing Human Needs
  • Leadership in Uncertainty

Guiding Questions

  • How do resilient teams outperform in high-stakes work?
  • How can leaders balance autonomy with accountability?
  • What’s the role of culture in resilience?
  • How does recognition build team strength?
  • How do leaders guide teams through uncertainty?

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Leading Under Pressure

Michael Payne:

Leading Under Pressure

High-stakes environments demand leaders who can trust, empower, and guide without over-controlling.

Bio

Hi, I’m Michael Payne — founder of coexius. With a background in both software engineering and business management, I’ve spent the past two decades helping organizations bridge the gap between vision and execution.

I’ve been an independent consultant and business owner since 2018, and in 2023 I launched coexius as a focused consultancy to expand that work. I’ve worked with clients across the U.S. on everything from cloud migration to application architecture, always with a focus on building reliable, scalable systems that align with what your business actually needs — not just what’s trendy.

Topics

  • Leadership Under Pressure
  • Empowering Teams in Crisis
  • Avoiding Bottlenecks
  • Mindful Responses in Stress
  • Trust as a Leadership Tool

Guiding Questions

  • What makes leadership different under pressure?
  • How can leaders empower teams in crisis?
  • What creates bottlenecks in organizations?
  • How does mindfulness help in stressful times?
  • Why does trust matter most when stakes are high?

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Clarity in Change

Michael Payne:

Clarity in Change

Tracking and communicating the reasons for change builds trust, alignment, and resilience in organizations.

Bio

Hi, I’m Michael Payne — founder of coexius. With a background in both software engineering and business management, I’ve spent the past two decades helping organizations bridge the gap between vision and execution.

I’ve been an independent consultant and business owner since 2018, and in 2023 I launched coexius as a focused consultancy to expand that work. I’ve worked with clients across the U.S. on everything from cloud migration to application architecture, always with a focus on building reliable, scalable systems that align with what your business actually needs — not just what’s trendy.

Topics

  • Communicating the “Why”
  • Building Organizational Trust
  • Reducing Change Resistance
  • Clarity in Leadership Communication
  • Sustaining Momentum

Guiding Questions

  • Why does explaining the “why” reduce resistance?
  • How can leaders build trust during change?
  • What role does clarity play in alignment?
  • How should executives communicate difficult decisions?
  • How do you sustain energy after major changes?

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Stress-Free Leadership

Michael Payne:

Stress-Free Leadership

Leaders who manage their reactions create calmer, more effective environments for their teams.

Bio

Hi, I’m Michael Payne — founder of coexius. With a background in both software engineering and business management, I’ve spent the past two decades helping organizations bridge the gap between vision and execution.

I’ve been an independent consultant and business owner since 2018, and in 2023 I launched coexius as a focused consultancy to expand that work. I’ve worked with clients across the U.S. on everything from cloud migration to application architecture, always with a focus on building reliable, scalable systems that align with what your business actually needs — not just what’s trendy.

Topics

  • Responding Instead of Reacting
  • Reducing Workplace Stress
  • Building Psychological Safety
  • Mindful Leadership Habits
  • Leading in High-Stakes Situations

Guiding Questions

  • How do leaders avoid reactive decision-making?
  • What strategies reduce stress for teams?
  • Why does psychological safety boost performance?
  • What habits make leaders more mindful?
  • How do mindful leaders perform under pressure?

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The Culture Multiplier

Michael Payne:

The Culture Multiplier

Small acts of leadership multiply across organizations, shaping culture far more than policies alone.

Bio

Hi, I’m Michael Payne — founder of coexius. With a background in both software engineering and business management, I’ve spent the past two decades helping organizations bridge the gap between vision and execution.

I’ve been an independent consultant and business owner since 2018, and in 2023 I launched coexius as a focused consultancy to expand that work. I’ve worked with clients across the U.S. on everything from cloud migration to application architecture, always with a focus on building reliable, scalable systems that align with what your business actually needs — not just what’s trendy.

Topics

  • The Power of Small Acts
  • Leadership by Example
  • Culture as a Multiplier
  • Guiding Teams Through Behavior
  • Building Shared Ownership

Guiding Questions

  • Why do small acts matter in leadership?
  • How can leaders amplify cultural impact?
  • What’s the role of example-setting in executive roles?
  • How do leaders encourage ownership in teams?
  • How does culture scale across organizations?

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Beyond the Codebase

Michael Payne:

Beyond the Codebase

Engineers can leave a legacy of excellence when leadership guides them with vision and care.

Bio

Hi, I’m Michael Payne — founder of coexius. With a background in both software engineering and business management, I’ve spent the past two decades helping organizations bridge the gap between vision and execution.

I’ve been an independent consultant and business owner since 2018, and in 2023 I launched coexius as a focused consultancy to expand that work. I’ve worked with clients across the U.S. on everything from cloud migration to application architecture, always with a focus on building reliable, scalable systems that align with what your business actually needs — not just what’s trendy.

Topics

  • Leaving a Leadership Legacy
  • People Over Projects
  • Code Quality vs. Human Impact
  • Teaching Through Mentorship
  • Building Systems That Last

Guiding Questions

  • What’s the true legacy of a technical leader?
  • How should leaders weigh people vs. projects?
  • Why does culture matter as much as code quality?
  • How does mentorship ripple through an organization?
  • How do leaders ensure systems outlast individuals?

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Mindful Decision-Making

Michael Payne:

Mindful Decision-Making

Engineers can leave a legacy of excellence when leadership guides them with vision and care.

Bio

Hi, I’m Michael Payne — founder of coexius. With a background in both software engineering and business management, I’ve spent the past two decades helping organizations bridge the gap between vision and execution.

I’ve been an independent consultant and business owner since 2018, and in 2023 I launched coexius as a focused consultancy to expand that work. I’ve worked with clients across the U.S. on everything from cloud migration to application architecture, always with a focus on building reliable, scalable systems that align with what your business actually needs — not just what’s trendy.

Topics

  • Pausing Before Acting
  • Avoiding Micromanagement
  • Reducing Team Stress
  • Building Resilient Teams
  • Improving Decision-Making

Guiding Questions

  • Why is it important to pause before acting as a leader?
  • What are signs of micromanagement in technical teams?
  • How does mindfulness reduce team stress?
  • How can leaders build resilience under pressure?
  • What habits lead to better executive decisions?

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