Why Chronic Stress Keeps You Stuck (and How to Get Out) with Lisa A. Smith

Are you managing your stress when you should be eliminating it? Most of us are told to manage stress. Lisa A. Smith says the stress that wears us down is chronic, and it can be eliminated. In this episode, I sit down with Lisa for a powerful conversation about the difference between acute and chronic stress, the beliefs that keep us stuck, and how stress affects our health and the decisions we make. You’ll learn how to stop living in survival mode and start choosing differently in your life and relationships. Lisa also shares her faith-based framework: radical obedience. This one is for every woman who is tired, overwhelmed, and sure she has no way out. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome + meet Lisa A. Smith 01:45 Acute vs. chronic stress 03:00 How to tell the difference 06:45 Why Black women’s stress is mostly chronic 08:15 What chronic stress does to your body and discipline 09:45 Exit, enter, and engagement strategies 11:45 Start with what you want 13:30 Making a decision in dating 15:00 What “decide” really means, and trusting yourself 16:45 Worthiness and self-betrayal 18:15 The antidote: excavation (ask why seven times) 22:00 Pre-order Girl, Get Your Guy 23:30 The four principles of radical obedience 25:15 “I can’t leave today”: what “immediately” means 27:30 Joy, not resistance 29:45 Innocence, not expectation 33:15 Homework, step 1: do nothing when you’re in your feelings 36:15 Step 2: pick your strategy 37:15 Step 3: clear your head, cut one thing 39:15 Where to find Lisa BIO: Lisa A. Smith, MBA, is a stress elimination strategist, transformational speaker, coach, and founder of CLARITY™, a platform dedicated to helping gifted professionals and entrepreneurs eliminate chronic stress at the root. She is the creator of Radical Obedience®, her philosophy of complete surrender as an antidote to chronic burnout and overwhelm, and The H.E.R. Method™, a framework that helps people heal, eliminate the root causes of stress, and live with greater clarity and alignment. Lisa is currently writing a book on Radical Obedience®. Over the past decade, Lisa has helped thousands transform their health, mindset, and lives, including helping Eric Thomas, Ph.D., the #1 motivational speaker, eliminate chronic stress. She has spoken for organizations including Microsoft, Intel, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Wayne State University. Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an MBA and is currently a student at Princeton Theological Seminary. Links Mentioned: Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok | YouTube | Website | Podcast Take 10 seconds to tap Follow so you never miss an episode. And if this one hit home, send it to the girlfriend who needs to hear it. Not sure which mode you’re in? Take the Dating Archetype Quiz Ways I can help you: Pre-order my book, Girl, Get Your Guy! (launching February 2, 2027). When you pre-order, you get instant access to Anwar AI for personalized dating advice 24/7, plus monthly group calls with me where you bring your real dating situations, and I give you direct feedback. Book a call with me. I’ve been getting a LOT of DMs and emails asking to chat, so I’ve opened up a few spots on my calendar. Join the Get Your Guy Club for a year of dating support at your own pace, including my weekly group calls, private Facebook group, monthly 1-on-1s, and my 40+ hour course. More from me: Missed my Q&A TikTok Lives? Catch up here! Sincerely, Coach Anwar Send us Fan Mail Thank you for listening, girl. If this episode helped you, here’s how you can help me (it takes less than a minute): Tap Follow on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode Leave a rating or a short review. Tell me what clicked for you. I read them! Every follow and share helps more women find this podcast and get ready for the love they deserve. Sincerely, Coach Anwar