The Social-Engineer Podcast

March 2026
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Mon, 16 March 2026

Ep. 343 - The Human Element Series - Spark Your Mental Fitness with Todd Bertsch

Today we are joined by Todd Bertsch. Todd is a keynote speaker, mental fitness coach, and creator of the Spark Framework—a system rooted in neuroscience and behavioral psychology that focuses on building resilience, leadership clarity, and sustainable personal growth through small, consistent changes. After overcoming early struggles with addiction and pivoting from entrepreneurship into coaching during the COVID pandemic, Todd now helps leaders strengthen their “mental muscle” by identifying negative thought patterns and shifting into a more constructive, resilient mindset.
[March 16, 2026]

00:00 – Intro
00:26 - Intro Links

Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/

Offensive Security Vishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/vishing/

Offensive Security SMiShing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/

Offensive Security Phishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/

Call Back Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/call-back-phishing/

Adversarial Simulation Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/adversarial-simulation/

Social Engineering Risk Assessments - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/social-engineering-risk-assessment/

Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb

CLUTCH - http://www.pro-rock.com/

innocentlivesfoundation.org - http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/

01:27 - Todd Bertsch Intro
02:39 - Todd’s Origin Story
05:47 - Trauma and the Spark
08:30 - COVID Pivot to Coaching
10:58 - Mental Fitness for Leaders
14:37 - The Spark Framework Explained
17:04 - Curiosity and Burnout
18:37 - Small Steps, Big Change
19:35 - Protein-First Plan
20:09 - Weightloss Breakthrough
21:02 - Micro-Changes for Lifestyle
21:54 - Atomic Habits and Momentum
23:44 - Accountability and Coaching
24:08 - One Inch Wins Story
24:48 - Patience, Gratitude, and the Journey
28:34 - Connect with Todd and Book Picks

https://www.toddbertsch.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddmbertsch/

https://www.instagram.com/theboltwithtoddb/

Recommended Books:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey

The Go-Giver – Bob Burg & John David Mann

32:12 - Mentors and Closing

Direct download: The_Human_Element_Ep343_-_Bertsch.mp3
Category:Human Element Series -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Mon, 2 March 2026

Ep. 342 - The Doctor Is In Series - How Does Decision Fatigue Affect You?

Welcome to the Social-Engineer Podcast: The Doctor Is In Series – where we discuss understandings and developments in the field of psychology.

In today’s episode, Chris and Dr. Abbie discuss decision fatigue—how making too many choices throughout the day drains mental energy and affects judgment. They explain how stress and lack of sleep make it worse, how it differs from burnout, and why leaders and parents are especially vulnerable. The episode also shares simple, practical strategies to reduce daily decisions, protect mental energy, and prioritize recovery.

[Mar 2, 2026]

00:00 - Intro

00:56 - Show Updates and Sponsors

02:35 - What Decision Fatigue Is

03:34 - Stress, Sleep, and Mental Energy

05:12 - Mental vs. Physical Limits

07:13 - Decision Fatigue vs. Burnout

10:22 - Leadership, Empathy, and Hard Decisions

14:33 - Prevention: Routines and Breaks

20:43 - Advisors and AI Caution

24:38 - Everyday Life and Parenting Load

27:23 - Recovery Outlets and Wrap-Up

28:49 - Closing and Next Month’s Topic (Diet Culture)

Find us online:  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-abbie-maroño-phd

Instagram: @DoctorAbbieofficial

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopherhadnagy

References: 

Baumeister, R. F., Bratslavsky, E., Muraven, M., & Tice, D. M. (1998). Ego depletion: Is the active self a limited resource? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74(5), 1252–1265. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.74.5.1252 

Baumeister, R. F., & Tierney, J. (2011). Willpower: Rediscovering the greatest human strength. Penguin Press. 

Danziger, S., Levav, J., & Avnaim-Pesso, L. (2011). Extraneous factors in judicial decisions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(17), 6889–6892. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1018033108 

Davidson, R. J., & McEwen, B. S. (2012). Social influences on neuroplasticity: Stress and interventions to promote well-being. Nature Neuroscience, 15(5), 689–695. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.3093 

Fleming, S. M., & Dolan, R. J. (2012). The neural basis of metacognitive ability. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 367(1594), 1338–1349. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2011.0417 

Hagger, M. S., Wood, C., Stiff, C., & Chatzisarantis, N. L. D. (2010). Ego depletion and the strength model of self-control: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 136(4), 495–525. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019486 

Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. 

Direct download: The_Dr_Is_In_-_Ep_342.mp3
Category:The Doctor Is In Series -- posted at: 2:00am EDT