I Can’t Get No Satisfaction: Personal Development Expert Dina Brady On Why So Many Of Us Are Feeling Unsatisfied & What We Can Do About It
An Interview With Drew Gerber
Seek Evidence of Abundance: Look around and acknowledge tangible evidence that demonstrates you already have everything you need. For example, reflect on the roof over your head, the food in your pantry, or the supportive relationships in your life.
From an objective standpoint, we are living in an unprecedented era of abundance. Yet so many of us are feeling unsatisfied. Why are we seemingly so insatiable? What is going on inside of us that is making us feel unsatisfied? What is the brain chemistry that makes us feel this way? Is our brain wired for endless insatiable consumption? What can we do about it? In this interview series, we are talking to credentialed experts such as psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, brain science experts, as well as spiritual and religious leaders, and mind-body-spirit coaches, to address why so many of us are feeling unsatisfied & what we can do about it.
As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dina Brady, PCC.
Dina Brady is a dedicated personal development expert with 19 years of research experience focused on enhancing the quality of life. For nearly a decade, she has passionately shared her insights and helped countless individuals improve their well-being. Dina’s mission is to connect with as many people as possible, bridging the gap to greatness.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to know how you got from “there to here.” Inspire us with your backstory!
My name is Dina Brady, and my journey is one of transformation and dedication. At 19, I found myself at rock bottom, grappling with an addiction that left me on the streets. With some push from the state, I found another option in recovery. There I would learn to build my life, piece by piece, and find a community that would love me until I could love myself.
I am a slow learner who had a pile of trauma to work through but over time and with help I began to rebuild my life. I cultivated a life around sobriety. I took an opportunity to return to school and eventually graduated summa cum laude with a Bachlor in Science in Human Services from Springfield College. My journey didn’t stop there, I continue to work on myself daily, transforming my life in a way where I am able to show up for others.
Today, I am proud to say that I have been in recovery for 12 consecutive years. For the past eight years, I have run my coaching practice, helping nearly a thousand people increase their own mental wellbeing through support and strategy.
My mission now is to reach as many people as possible, bridging the gap to satisfaction by sharing the transformative insights and tools that have not only changed my life but the lives of countless others. I am living proof that no matter how deep you go into the darkness, there is always a path to light.
What lessons would you share with yourself if you had the opportunity to meet your younger self?
There are countless lessons I’ve learned, but two stand out as the most crucial. First, understanding and embracing my own worthiness. It took me a long time to grasp the precious nature of my humanity — my experience, my body, my relationships, and myself as a beautiful and capable being. If I could go back, I would prioritize finding evidence to show my younger self just how powerful and capable she truly was. Recognizing our worth allows us to transcend self-centeredness and engage with the world from a place of strength. I believe I wouldn’t have harmed myself in the ways I did if I had absolutely known my worth, and I see many of my clients struggle with this same issue.
The second lesson I’ve learned is understanding that others’ perceptions of reality are often shaped by their own limited experiences. For a long time, I relied on others’ perspectives, doubting my own wisdom. People often project their pain and fears onto others, but when we are grounded in our own values and beliefs, we become resilient to these projections. Embracing our inner wisdom and strength enables us to navigate the world with authenticity and resilience.
None of us can experience success without support along the way. Is there a particular person for whom you are grateful because of the support they gave you to grow you from “there to here?” Can you share that story and why you are grateful for them?
There are so many people who have helped me get to where I am today. There’s no way I could have done this alone. When I step back and look at the big picture, it’s clear that my 12-step fellowship played a pivotal role. It was here that I learned and continue to learn how to be a human being. The fellowship enabled me to get out of my own way and get to a place where I was able to achieve all the other beautiful things in my life. Community is essential, and shared experience is a powerful motivator. I wouldn’t have believed just hearing my life could change, I needed to see evidence of successful, satisfied people, living out their dreams without substance.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think it might help people?
Next month, I am heading to Peru to host a women’s retreat with The Phoenix Retreat. These carefully curated retreats are designed to help women find community, confidence, and healing so they can truly own their power. Additionally, I am launching a virtual coaching challenge in August called GET UNSTUCK. This 30-day program is a commitment to practicing new tools daily, with weekly accountability check-ins and ongoing virtual support. If you are interested in future retreats or want to be part of GET UNSTUCK you can find out more on my website at dinabrady.com
Ok, thank you for sharing your inspired life. Let’s now talk about feeling “unsatisfied”. In the Western world, humans typically have their shelter, food, and survival needs met. What has led to us feeling we aren’t enough and don’t have enough? What is the wiring? Or in other words, how has nature and nurture played into how humans (in an otherwise “safe and secure” environment) experience feeling less than, or a need to have more than what is needed for basic survival?
One striking trend among my clients is their dissatisfaction despite achieving traditional markers of success. They have degrees, prestigious jobs, homes, families, health and more, yet they find themselves unfulfilled. The root cause of this discontent is a misaligned definition of success. My clients, though outwardly successful, often experience burnout, disconnection, and isolation. They crave deeper connections, a desire to help others, and a yearning to slow down and appreciate life’s simple joys.
My suggestion is to begin redefining success, prioritizing mindfulness, meaningful relationships, and personal fulfillment through hobbies, connection and service over societal expectations. This profound shift has led to remarkable improvements in their mental well-being and overall quality of life.
On one hand, our evolutionary wiring drives us to seek more resources and status as a means of ensuring survival and reproductive success. On the other hand, societal and cultural influences shape our perceptions of success and fulfillment. From a young age, we are bombarded with messages that equate worth with achievement, beauty standards and material wealth, leading us to internalize these standards and measure our self-worth against them.
However, when these societal expectations clash with our intrinsic needs for connection, purpose, and self acceptance, it creates a discord that manifests as dissatisfaction and a sense of emptiness. By recognizing and addressing these underlying factors, we can begin to shift our focus towards what truly matters and cultivate a more fulfilling and balanced life.
How are societies different? For example, capitalistic societies trade differently than communists. Developed nations trade differently than developing nations. In your opinion, how does society shape a human’s experience and feelings of satisfaction?
In my opinion, society significantly shapes human experiences and feelings of satisfaction. In capitalistic societies, success is often measured by individual achievements and wealth, creating a culture of competition and comparison. Who has the biggest house, the nicest car, the fanciest purse? Often overlooking the sacrifices, we make to obtain
these external things. Whether it’s bonding time with family, our own health or financial freedom. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy despite material success. Alternatively, more communal societies emphasize shared success and mutual support, fostering a sense of belonging and fulfillment through community contributions. I will never forget being in Africa and finding out it was common practice that if the neighbor dies, you take in their children.
Developed nations might offer more opportunities but also create high expectations and pressure, while developing nations may value strong community ties and simplicity. I have found that belonging and service are among the most powerful ways to enhance well-being. Ultimately, society influences our values and definitions of success, impacting our overall satisfaction.
With a specific focus on brain function, how has the brain and its dominion over the body and beliefs been impacted by the societal construct?
Societal constructs apply profound influence on our brain function, thereby shaping our emotions and behaviors. The pervasive pressure to achieve and constantly compare ourselves to others can overwhelm our brains, contributing to heightened levels of anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. Conversely, nurturing environments characterized by supportive communities and positive social interactions can enhance brain function, fostering a sense of connection, purpose and fulfillment. Ultimately, society molds our beliefs and emotional responses by adjusting how our brains interpret and react to our surroundings.
Do you think the way our society markets and advertises goods and services, has affected people’s feelings of satisfaction? Can you explain what you mean?
Absolutely, that’s why I place such emphasis on helping my clients identify their personal values. Understanding what truly aligns with them is crucial amidst the pervasive influence of marketing and advertising in our society. These influences can heavily shape individuals’ perceptions of satisfaction by defining what is desirable and valuable. Awareness of these influences enables individuals to critically evaluate their own values and priorities. This process empowers them to seek fulfillment in ways that resonate with their authentic selves rather than conforming to external expectations.
How is the wiring of the brain, body, and beliefs shaped by marketing, language, and how humans trade?
Marketing strategies carefully engage neurological processes linked to reward, emotion, and decision-making. Through repeated exposure, marketing messages mold beliefs regarding what is valuable, desirable, and essential for happiness and success. Language, as a cognitive framework, constructs mental structures that shape how individuals interpret their world. Linguistic cues in advertisements and branding evoke specific associations and emotional responses, profoundly influencing consumer choices. Furthermore, language mirrors and sustains cultural values and norms, shaping perceptions of identity, status, and belonging, thereby guiding consumer behavior and societal attitudes toward consumption.
Collectively, marketing, language, and trading practices play pivotal roles in shaping the wiring of the brain, body, and beliefs. They influence neural responses, cognitive frameworks, and behavioral patterns, thereby shaping both individual and collective perceptions of value, satisfaction, and well-being within societal contexts. These influences
underscore the complex interplay between external influences and internal processes that define our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.
I work in marketing so I’m very cognizant of this question. In your opinion, how do you think marketing professionals can be more responsible for how their advertising shapes humans’ health and experience of happiness overall?
Marketing professionals can influence well-being by prioritizing mindfulness and values-driven messaging over consumerism. By highlighting how products contribute to meaningful living and supporting community impact, marketers can reduce stigma around mental health and promote resilience. This approach fosters trust, aligns with ethical standards, and creates a positive societal impact.
For you personally, if you have all your basic needs met, do you feel you have enough in life?
Yes, typically that’s true for me, and it’s because I’ve been deeply engaged in internal work for the past twenty years. When I feel restless or tempted to seek quick fixes like food or shopping instead of staying true to my values, I take a moment for self-reflection. I ask myself if I’m tending to the basics: Am I getting enough sleep and nourishment? If I am, then I turn my attention to my spiritual connection. I view that persistent sense of emptiness, which we often try to fill with external things, as a spiritual void. To address it, I connect with my higher power through acts of service, realignment with my core values, or through prayer and meditation.
Can you share with our readers your “5 things we can each do to address the feeling of not having enough.”
When faced with feelings of scarcity, here’s a practical five-step approach to effectively navigate them:
1. Seek Evidence of Abundance: Look around and acknowledge tangible evidence that demonstrates you already have everything you need. For example, reflect on the roof over your head, the food in your pantry, or the supportive relationships in your life.
2. Acknowledge Emotions and Impulses: Take a moment to recognize the emotions and physical sensations that accompany the desire for more. Ask yourself what might be driving this urge. Is it a need for deeper connection with others, or perhaps a feeling of vulnerability that needs attention?
3. Consider Long-Term Impact: Before acting on impulses, consider how your decisions will affect you tomorrow. For instance, think about whether purchasing another luxury item aligns with your long-term values and goals for personal fulfillment.
4. Evaluate Motives: Reflect on whether your actions are motivated by fear or love. Are you seeking to fill an emotional void with material possessions, or are you genuinely seeking to enhance your well-being and that of others?
5. Find Healthy Alternatives: Instead of succumbing to the urge for more, explore healthier ways to address emotional needs. This could involve seeking affection from loved ones, taking a rejuvenating nap, engaging in physical exercise, practicing spiritual rituals, reaching out for support, reading or writing for self-reflection, enjoying the sunlight outdoors, or simply pausing to recalibrate your thoughts and feelings.
By applying these steps, you can develop a more mindful and intentional approach to addressing feelings of scarcity, fostering greater satisfaction and well-being in your life.
Do you have any favorite books, podcasts, or resources that have inspired you to live with more joy in life?
I prioritize mindfulness in how I consume information, advising clients to limit their intake and focus on one source for reading and listening, promoting simplicity and the cultivation of inner wisdom. Personally, I’ve been reading Iyanla Vanzant’s “Until Today” and “Just for Today” daily meditations for two decades, using them to start my day and sharing insights with clients. In addition, I’ve maintained a gratitude exchange with a group of women for nearly 20 years, which brings me profound fulfillment and connection.
I intentionally structure slow mornings to connect deeply with my son, husband, and my own thoughts, while prioritizing exposure to sunlight and engaging in physical movement. These practices are essential for maintaining balance and fostering a sense of groundedness in my daily life.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
If I could start a movement, it would focus on promoting mindful living and fostering genuine human connections in an increasingly digital world. This movement would encourage people to prioritize mental well-being, empathy, and community engagement. It would advocate for practices that promote inner peace, such as mindfulness meditation, gratitude, and conscious consumption. The goal would be to inspire individuals to lead more intentional, balanced lives while creating a ripple effect of positivity and support in their communities and beyond.
What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
Thank you for your time. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to share.
