The heart of B Syde
B Syde supports personal and collective wellbeing through mindfulness, meditation, and inclusive training.
Brad offers heart-centered programs for individuals and organizations, guided by the principle of do no harm.
Whether it's a workshop, a guided practice, or a 1:1 session, the focus is always the same: helping people buzz less and live more.
The B Behind B Syde
Brad Bender, MSW, PMP, SHRM-CP
He/Him
Brad’s meditation journey began in 2010, igniting a passion for mindfulness that has since become a cornerstone of his life. Seeking ways to integrate and share the benefits of meditation, Brad began incorporating short guided sessions into his professional meetings, fostering a more centered and harmonious work environment.
In 2017, Brad committed to a regular meditation practice after completing the 10-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) course. This pivotal experience deepened his dedication, leading him to participate in a variety of workshops and further his training. In 2024, Brad earned his Meditation Teacher Training in Mindfulness and Compassion from The Path, solidifying his expertise.
Driven by a belief in the transformative power of meditation, Brad is passionate about sharing this practice with others. He sees meditation as a catalyst for positive social change and radical self-development. By teaching and guiding others, Brad hopes to soften the hard edges of humanity and inspire a more compassionate world.
His personal journey includes a continuous pursuit of peace and healing from a community impacted by addiction, trauma, and abuse. Through meditation, Brad strives to find balance and resilience. Brad identifies as a white, cisgender, gay man who uses he/him pronouns.
Brad graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Social Work from Michigan State University. Brad further developed his project management knowledge, experience, and skills by becoming Project Management Professional (PMP) certified by the Project Management Institute. Brad is also a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).
Why “B Syde”?
Brad has always loved music. On vinyl records and cassettes, the A-side gets all the attention - it’s where the hits go. But the B-side? That’s where you often find the surprises, like deep cuts, experiments, and the honest stuff.
In the soundtrack of life, the “A-side” is shaped by our cultural programming, telling us how to act, what to value, and who we should be. But just because it’s played first doesn’t mean it’s what we need to keep playing. That side can get worn out and it’s not always the most honest (or healthiest) version of ourselves.
B Syde is an invitation to flip the tape! Try something different - slower, quieter, softer, less expected - and maybe (just maybe) more true.
In a culture that doesn’t always teach or value rest, mindfulness, or healing, Brad shares the practices that helped him find peace in a turbulent world. Let’s start building a new soundtrack for life one breath at a time, with the B Syde.