Lead Well! with Christine Schickinger

Poetry as prayer, and spirituality you can actually live in. In this episode, Christine sits down with Colette Lafia, an award-winning writer, retreat leader, and spiritual director from the San Francisco Bay Area, to talk about her book Leaving the Shore: Experiencing Poetry as Prayer. Colette makes a quiet but radical case: that we don't need to decode poetry to be moved by it, and that a single line or image can become a way of slowing down and reconnecting with what matters. Along the way, Christine opens up about her own path from a very cognitive life into spirituality, her step away from it, and her search now for something more grounded and honest. What you'll take from this conversation: Why "leaving the shore" means releasing old constructs so something new can emerge, and how that applies to any season of change How the ancient practice of Lectio Divina turns reading into a moment of presence What a grounded spirituality can look like, one rooted in connection and service rather than escape Four simple, tool-free practices for anxious times: breath, feeling the body, orientation, and gratitude, and why they help settle the nervous system Whether or not you consider yourself "a poetry person," this is an invitation to reclaim presence in the middle of an ordinary, buzzing life. Listen to the full episode, and if one practice stays with you, that's exactly the point.

Time may create distance from a traumatic experience, but it does not necessarily resolve the guilt, fear or grief attached to it. In this episode, Christine speaks with clinical psychologist Dr. Chris Cortman, author of The Guided Imagery Cure. Drawing on more than 40 years of clinical practice, he explains how guided imagery can help people actively process unresolved experiences and reach a sense of closure. The conversation explores: Why avoidance can keep traumatic experiences emotionally active What happens when the brain continues to respond from fear and hypervigilance How guided imagery can change the meaning attached to a painful memory Why unresolved experiences often feel like unfinished business When self-regulation may be enough and when professional support is advisable Why trust, connection and emotional safety matter in therapy How grief and trauma can sometimes be reframed into purpose Why hope can change a person’s ability to move forward Dr. Cortman shares several striking cases, including a woman burdened by guilt after her brother’s death, a survivor of suicide loss, and a 100-year-old World War II veteran whose recurring nightmare was resolved after decades. The central message is clear: healing is not passive. It requires the courage to approach what remains unresolved, with appropriate support and in a setting that feels safe. This episode includes discussion of accidental death, suicide loss and wartime trauma.

Why can we recognize that something is not working, yet still hesitate to change it? In this episode, Christine speaks with Andres Kuusk about the thinking patterns that quietly shape our decisions. Andres is a seven-time World Pentamind Champion, former game theory professor, business executive, and author of Unlocking the Success Puzzle. The conversation looks beyond motivation and productivity advice. Instead, it examines how assumptions, cognitive distortions, and survival-oriented shortcuts can make us overestimate difficulty, avoid uncertainty, and limit ourselves before we have properly tried. They discuss: why believing you are inferior can become a self-fulfilling prophecy how early learning difficulties are often misread as lack of talent why familiar discomfort can feel safer than uncertain change why growth means expanding the comfort zone, not living outside it how curiosity differs from identity signalling the value of evaluating a decision process separately from its outcome a practical question for gaining distance from your own situation A conversation about awareness, perspective, and learning to notice the assumptions that influence how we think, decide, and act.

For the first time in 26 years, Christine no longer has a horse determining her daily routine. Although Maggie has moved to what Christine considers the perfect home, saying goodbye revealed something unexpected. It wasn't only the horse she would miss, but the structure, movement, rhythm, and responsibility that had quietly organized her life. Reflecting on the seven weeks of intensive care while Maggie recovered from illness, Christine explores how deeply our identity can become connected to the responsibilities we carry. This isn't only true for horse owners. The same questions arise when we retire, finish an important project, change jobs, or when children leave home. We often think we are losing a task, while in reality we are also losing part of the structure that defines our days. In this personal episode, Christine reflects on what remains when responsibility ends, why unfamiliar freedom can feel uncomfortable, and how creating a new structure may be one of the most important parts of any life transition.

Many (leadership) challenges are approached as problems to solve. But some aren't problems at all. In this episode, Dr. Tracy Christopherson and Michelle Troseth introduce the concept of polarities: interdependent pairs of perspectives, values, or priorities that appear to be in conflict but actually need each other to achieve a greater purpose. We discuss: Why we often default to either-or thinking Common workplace polarities such as managing vs leading, hierarchy vs partnership, and individual vs team How different perspectives improve decision quality The difference between healthy tension and destructive conflict Why psychological safety is essential for navigating disagreement How partnership agreements create clarity and trust A simple way to distinguish a recurring polarity from a solvable problem One of the most practical insights from the conversation is this: when the same issue keeps resurfacing despite repeated attempts to fix it, it may not be a problem at all. It may be a polarity that requires ongoing attention and balance. This episode offers a useful framework for leaders who want to move beyond choosing sides and learn how to benefit from multiple perspectives at the same time.

In this episode, Christine speaks with Keri Lefave about trauma, identity, triggers, and the daily work of choosing a different response. Keri describes how early experiences of restriction and abuse shaped her sense of self, her relationships, and her ability to speak up. She also shares the turning points that helped her recognize repeated patterns, leave an abusive relationship, and begin rebuilding her identity from the inside out. The conversation goes beyond personal story. It explores how patterns persist, how triggers show up in everyday life, how the body can signal old responses, and why awareness creates the possibility of choice. Topics include: how trauma can shape identity and relationship patterns why understanding a pattern is not the same as changing it how silence and shrinking can become body-based warning signals why vulnerability can become a strength how gratitude can shift fear-based thinking what it means to move from victimhood toward learning and choice Keri also talks about her two memoirs, Unfinished and The Chrysalid, and the spiritual perspective that now shapes how she understands life, pain, and growth.

What creates trust? According to Brittni Cosgrove, it is not visibility, marketing tactics, or having the perfect message. Trust grows when people consistently experience authenticity and alignment. In this conversation, Brittni shares her perspective on personal branding as an expression of who we are rather than a performance we create. We discuss the difference between authenticity and role-playing, the importance of vulnerability, and how pressure and perfectionism can pull us away from ourselves. We also explore: What authenticity actually means Why vulnerability does not require giving up privacy The role of presence during stressful situations Internal versus external sources of pressure How consistency creates trust Why comparison often undermines personal brands Practical advice for people who are afraid of visibility At its core, this episode is about showing up as yourself, building trust through alignment, and finding a way of communicating that feels genuine rather than performative.

Many workplace equality initiatives focus on helping women adapt. Geeta Sidhu-Robb argues that this approach misses the bigger issue. In this conversation, we explore how organizational systems, workplace structures, cultural expectations, and leadership norms continue to shape outcomes for women, often regardless of talent or capability. Geeta shares her perspective on why many diversity initiatives fail to create meaningful change, why return-to-office debates may be driven by incentives that are rarely discussed openly, and why measurable progress requires focusing on specific metrics rather than broad intentions. We also discuss the personal experiences that led her to found WCorp, her work supporting women-led businesses, and her belief that change requires courage from both women and men. Topics include: System design versus individual responsibility Why many equality initiatives struggle to create results Return-to-office policies and hidden incentives Venture capital funding for women founders Leadership, courage, and social change The role of families, organizations, and culture in shaping opportunity A thoughtful conversation about leadership, systems, and what meaningful change actually requires.

Why do intelligent, capable people struggle to change behaviors they know are not serving them? In this episode, I speak with Sharissa Bradley about chronic stress, habit formation, health, and self-responsibility. Sharissa shares her personal journey from growing up in a deeply stressful family environment to developing autoimmune illness herself, and the moment she realised she was heading toward a version of life she did not want. What makes this conversation particularly relevant is that it moves beyond motivational advice into the mechanisms behind behavior. We discuss: how survival mode affects decision-making and health why habit change requires significant cognitive energy the relationship between stress, digestion, and physiology how self-talk shapes recovery and resilience why many people fail not because they lack discipline, but because they lack capacity One idea stood out strongly: sustainable change often begins not with doing more, but with creating enough space for change to become possible. A thoughtful conversation about healing, behavior, and what real change actually requires.

What happens when a relationship no longer reflects who you’ve become? In this episode, Christine speaks with Michele Heffron, certified relationship and divorce coach, about major life transitions, identity change, fear, and the difficult decisions people sometimes avoid for years. The conversation explores a growing phenomenon often called “gray divorce,” where long-term relationships end later in life, often after decades together. But the deeper theme is broader. This episode is about what happens when people slowly lose themselves inside a situation that no longer feels aligned. Topics include: chronic relationship misalignment fear-based future thinking self-worth and internal narratives identity shifts after separation decision-making under emotional stress navigating major transitions with intention rather than reactivity Michele also shares her own experience of rebuilding life after emotional and financial abuse, and what surprised her most about who she became on the other side. A thoughtful conversation about relationships, transitions, and the courage required to step into uncertainty.

In this episode of Lead Well!, I speak with author Steve Borodkin about survival, abuse, healing, vulnerability, animals, art, and what honesty really requires. Steve’s memoir Street Level tells a deeply personal story of trauma and survival. But what struck me most in this conversation was not only what he went through. It was the fact that he emerged with remarkable warmth, empathy, and humanity. We explore: Why trauma processing is not a one-time event The role of therapy, honesty, and long-term inner work Why vulnerability is especially difficult for men How animals can become a source of healing and connection What art and music make possible when words are not enough Why how we carry pain matters as much as what happened This conversation also touches on something I often see in leadership work: Unprocessed experiences shape behavior. Not always visibly. But reliably. If safety, trust, or emotional regulation are missing, behavior changes. In humans and in animals.

Communication is often treated as a skill. In reality, it is a relational process shaped by awareness, intention, and internal state. In this episode, Christine speaks with Andrew Blotky, executive coach and former communications leader at Meta and Johnson & Johnson. The conversation explores how leaders can communicate with clarity and authenticity, especially in times of uncertainty. A central idea runs through the episode: communication is not defined by what is said, but by what is received. This shifts the focus from output to alignment. From message delivery to audience understanding. Key themes include: Why communication requires clarity of intent before expression How presence and nervous system regulation influence how messages land The limits of scripted communication and the value of conversational navigation The role of middle managers as “honest brokers” in complex organizational dynamics How storytelling creates meaning beyond facts and data Why listening, curiosity, and audience awareness are foundational leadership capabilities The episode also connects communication to broader questions of leadership under uncertainty. When external conditions are unstable, leaders need an internal anchor. Values, experience, and self-awareness become the basis for clear and credible communication. This is not a conversation about techniques. It is a conversation about mechanisms.

In this episode, Christine speaks with Shamayne Olivia about identity, self-alignment, and the often invisible cost of living a life that no longer fits. The conversation explores how many people, especially women, grow into roles shaped by expectations rather than conscious choice. Over time, this creates a gap between external success and internal experience. Shamayne shares her personal journey of questioning long-standing patterns, setting boundaries, and rebuilding her identity from the inside out. A central element of her work is the metaphor of “shoes”, representing different aspects of personal development, including foundation, past experiences, support systems, voice, and connection. The discussion highlights: The psychological impact of long-term misalignment Why change often triggers resistance in others The role of self-questioning in personal transformation How boundaries contribute to identity clarity Why expression and visibility are essential for well-being This episode adds an important dimension to the broader conversation on leadership: sustainable performance requires not only regulation, but alignment.

In this episode, Christine speaks with Steven Howard, creator of Humony Leadership, about what it really means to lead people rather than manage them. The conversation starts with a simple distinction: tasks, processes, and policies need management, but people need leadership. Steven argues that many leaders still operate as if their role is to have all the answers, control the process, and tell others how to think. In today’s work environment, that approach limits creativity, ownership, and sustained results. A central idea in this conversation is that trust should not be treated as a reward people have to earn over time. Steven suggests the opposite. Start by making it clear that trust is already present, then define clearly what breaks it. From there, leadership becomes visible through transparency, consistency, listening, and honest communication. The episode also explores: - why specific reinforcing feedback is essential for motivation - why fear of micromanaging can lead to abandonment instead of leadership - how mentoring differs from coaching - why leaders should separate announcing change from discussing execution - how people-centric leadership can begin at team level, without waiting for the whole organization to change The result is a practical conversation about trust, accountability, motivation, and culture. Not soft leadership. Effective leadership.

What is the difference between coaching and mentoring, and why does that difference matter so much when someone is grieving or struggling? In this episode, Christine speaks with Doug Lawrence, founder of TalentC® and an experienced mentoring practitioner, about mentoring as a trusted two-way relationship that can help people shift thought patterns, change behavior, and find support in difficult times. The conversation moves into grief, the barriers that make asking for help so hard, and the kind of support that is actually useful when someone has suffered a major loss. A few key threads in this conversation: - why mentoring is often misunderstood and confused with coaching - how grief often leaves people unable to ask directly for help - why listening and hearing matter more than having the right words - how mentors can serve as a bridge when professional support is delayed - why leaders and mentors need many of the same qualities, including compassion, non-judgment, and follow-through - how to protect your own capacity when supporting someone in pain This is a thoughtful conversation about grief, support, leadership, and what it means to walk beside another person when life becomes very hard.

This episode explores what actually creates transformation. Christine speaks with Glenda Benevides about her work combining music, storytelling, and personal reflection to create real change. At the core is a simple sequence: Clarity → Courage → Confidence → Commitment → Community Most people try to shortcut this process. They aim for confidence without clarity. The result is hesitation, inconsistency, and lack of direction. The conversation covers: - Why clarity is often missing - How courage is built through action - Why confidence follows behavior, not the other way around - The role of reflection and journaling - How to identify what you actually want This is not abstract. It is structured, practical, and directly applicable.

Career growth does not happen by accident. In this episode, I talk with Nicole Fronek about what it means to take intentional ownership of your career. We explore why good work alone is rarely enough, how to build visibility in a smart way, how to support your manager without becoming self-sacrificing, and why boundaries are essential for sustainable success. Nicole also shares what leaders often misunderstand about developing talent and why career responsibility always remains with the individual. A practical and refreshingly grounded conversation for anyone who wants to grow with more clarity and less passivity.

What if the biggest shift in your life isn’t doing more… but finally allowing yourself to be? In this episode of Lead Well!, I’m speaking with Ashlieya Mariano about identity, self-expression, and what it really means to stop performing for others and start living in alignment. We explore how many of us unconsciously shape ourselves around expectations, roles, and external validation, and what it takes to reconnect with who we actually are beneath all of that. This conversation is honest, reflective, and at times uncomfortable in the best possible way.

In this special episode of Lead Well!, Christine participates in Podcasthon, a global initiative where over 1,600 podcasters highlight charities and nonprofits creating real impact. Christine speaks with Benson and Peter, leaders of a community-based organization working in Turkana, Northern Kenya, one of the driest and most challenging regions in East Africa. They discuss the realities children face in the region, including malnutrition, drought, lack of healthcare access, and the difficult choices families must make every day. For many children, going to school depends on something very basic: having food to eat. Benson shares how witnessing children suffering from malnutrition in his community led him to study nutrition and establish an organization focused on supporting vulnerable children through nutrition programs, education access, and psychosocial support. This conversation goes beyond charity narratives and explores what meaningful, community-driven support actually looks like.

What if leadership is not a title or a checklist, but a layered practice that develops over time? In this episode of Lead Well!, I speak with Lawrence R. Armstrong, Chairman and former CEO of Ware Malcomb and author of Layered Leadership. We explore why many leaders struggle to delegate, how creativity becomes a strategic advantage, and why wellness is not optional for sustainable performance. Larry shares how he built a global company over four decades while continuously evolving his leadership approach. We discuss whole-brain thinking, empowering a “number two,” building cultures of curiosity, and designing systems that encourage innovation instead of competition. This conversation is especially relevant for leaders navigating complexity, generational shifts, and AI-driven transformation.

In this conversation with Sharon Burstein, international leadership image expert and author of What’s Your Leadership Image?, we explore a dimension of leadership that most professionals underestimate: the image you project — and how it either reinforces or undermines your credibility. But this is not about polishing the surface. It is about alignment. Sharon distinguishes between leadership and leadership image: Leadership is what you do. Leadership image is who you are — and how consistently that identity is communicated through posture, voice, clarity, behavior, and presence

In Episode 110 of Lead Well!, I speak with adventurer, mountaineer, author, and former lawyer Jeff Rasley. After a successful legal and business career, Jeff walked away from boardrooms and into the Himalayas. What began as a midlife trek to Everest Base Camp became a lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and cultural humility. Today, Jeff is President of the Basa Village Foundation, partnering with a remote Nepali village to build schools, clinics, water systems, and even a hydroelectric project, all designed and executed by the villagers themselves

In this episode of Lead Well!, I explore one of the most underestimated cognitive phenomena in modern work life: attention residue. Based on research by Sophie Leroy, we look at what happens in your brain when you switch tasks. Part of your attention stays behind. And that “mental leftover” reduces performance, increases reactivity, and makes it harder to truly recover after work. This is not just a productivity issue. It’s a nervous system issue. And it’s a leadership issue.

What if presence doesn’t start when you are already stressed, but one moment earlier? In Part 3 of the Presence series, I explore a subtle but decisive phase that most people miss: the orienting moment. The split second between perceiving something and reacting to it. This is the moment where your nervous system decides whether to stay regulated or switch into fight, flight, or freeze. And it is the easiest point to access presence.

Presence doesn’t start in the mind. It starts in the body. In Episode 107, I explore why thinking alone won’t get you present and how your body becomes your most reliable feedback system. A continuation of last week’s episode on Presence as a condition for living well.

In this solo episode of Lead Well!, I explore why so many capable, reflective people feel disconnected from their own lives. Not because they lack insight. But because they are rarely fully present in the moments that matter. Presence is often misunderstood as meditation, slowing down, or stepping away from real life. That is not what this episode is about. Presence means being where you already are. Mentally. Emotionally. Physically. Using a simple everyday metaphor. Missing an exit while driving. I show how absence quietly shapes our decisions, our productivity, and our sense of meaning.

At sixty years old, Anne Abel found herself at a breaking point. After leaving a dangerous teaching job, the structure that had helped her manage lifelong depression disappeared. What followed was not a neat reinvention plan, but a radical decision that started as survival. Anne followed Bruce Springsteen’s Australian tour. What unfolded was a journey of connection, meaning, and unexpected healing. One that later became her memoir High Hopes.

How much does your environment influence your thinking, emotions, and decisions? In this episode, Christine explores why environment is often the missing piece in change models. From hunger and sleep to safety, noise, and the people around us, small environmental factors can radically shift outcomes. You’ll learn: Why environment is a leverage point for change How basic needs affect judgment and emotional regulation A practical framework to decide what you can control, influence, or let go Why changing where you are is often easier than changing who you are Listen now and start noticing how your surroundings shape your day.

What really shapes our lives. Our thoughts. Our feelings. Our behavior. Or something deeper? In this episode, I revisit familiar psychological models like CBT and expand them with two elements that are often overlooked. Your environment and your inner state. Drawing from neuroscience, nervous system regulation, and my work with humans and animals, I explain why outcomes alone are a poor measure of success. And why lasting change starts with presence, not performance. This episode also marks the beginning of a short series where we’ll explore practical levers for real change. Without overthinking. Without forcing positivity.

Looking back at a year usually means counting results. This episode asks a different question: How did those moments actually feel in your body and nervous system? Not what happened. But the state you were in before and after. A gentle year-end reflection.

The holiday season often comes with pressure, noise, and hidden stress. This short episode is different. In Episode 101 of Lead Well!, I invite you to a brief resilience break. A guided pause to help your nervous system shift out of stress mode and into a calmer, more regulated state. You can listen while sitting, resting, or even while waiting for the bus. No special setup needed. This episode is meant as a gift. A few quiet minutes for yourself during a busy time of year. ✨ Wishing you a calm holiday season and a gentle transition into the new year.

Episode 100 is a moment to pause. Not to summarize achievements, but to acknowledge influence. In this solo episode, Christine reflects on gratitude. Not as a feel-good concept, but as a stabilizing force for the nervous system, perspective, and leadership. She shares the stories of nine people. Most of them podcast guests. All of them deeply influential. Teachers, mentors, colleagues, and thinkers who shaped how she works, leads, and lives today. This episode is both a thank-you and an invitation. To revisit conversations that matter. And to notice how the people we meet quietly change the direction of our lives.

Deutsche Originalaufnahme - to listen to the English Dub version, forward to chapter 3 at timestamp 00:26:28. In this episode, Dr. Ulrike Stefanowski joins me to explore one of the most underestimated foundations of mental and physical health: sleep. Ulrike is a medical doctor, coach, and founder of INSANO, an institute focused on mental well-being and nervous-system regulation. She combines medical understanding with modern self-regulation methods to help people regain deep rest, calm, and stable energy. Together we unpack… • Why we cannot catch up on chronic sleep loss • What really happens in deep sleep and REM sleep • How our 25-hour internal clock sabotages mornings • Why teens and night owls struggle in an early-bird society • How morning light, movement, and evening rituals set the brain for rest • What to do if you wake up at 2 or 3 AM with your mind racing • Why rumination is strongest at night • How stress hormones and circadian dips influence night-time awakenings • What simple habits reliably improve sleep quality This conversation blends science, practicality, and compassion for all of us who want to feel more rested, clearer, and more grounded.

In this practical and energizing conversation, movement educator and physical therapist Eileen Kopsaftis explains why pain does not have to be a natural part of aging. She shares the most common myths about decline, how the brain loses contact with parts of the body, and why most people unknowingly train in ways that reinforce stiffness instead of reducing it. Eileen demonstrates a simple seated three-plane routine to improve thoracic rotation, release the neck, and support lower back health. We discuss why manual therapy can be supportive but never restores function on its own, how much daily movement is needed, and why strength gains are possible at any age. A hopeful and highly useful episode for anyone who wants to move better, feel better, and age with freedom instead of fear.

Betrayal trauma expert Mr. Jay explains what betrayal trauma really is, why it rewires the nervous system, and how to rebuild safety, trust, and self-worth from the inside out. A powerful, practical conversation on healing, boundaries, and self-leadership.

What if vitality is not about pushing harder, but about listening more deeply? In this conversation with Dr. Deborah Zucker, naturopathic physician, mental-health counselor, and author of The Vitality Map, we explore the nine keys to deep vitality. Deborah shares her own health crisis, the wake-up call that changed her life, and the foundational skills most of us were simply never taught: attunement, listening to inner feedback, embracing our shadows, and cultivating “easeful discipline.” We talk about burnout, overwhelm, early warning signs, micro-resilience practices, and the courage to honour your Deep Yes. This episode is especially relevant for leaders navigating high pressure environments, busy professionals on the edge of exhaustion, and anyone who wants to reconnect with their own wellbeing as a daily practice.

What does it take to move from surviving to truly thriving after trauma? In this powerful episode, Dr. Dawnmarie Risley-Childs, a psychiatrist, author of The Offering, and self-proclaimed “Hope Dealer”, shares her personal journey through childhood abuse, complex PTSD, and the radical act of forgiving without forgetting. Together, we explore how trauma shapes the nervous system, how healing can begin through the body, and why reclaiming your personal power as a woman means no longer settling for crumbs.

In this episode, Christine explores The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz — a timeless guide to personal freedom and self-leadership. These four simple yet profound principles can transform the way you relate to yourself and others: Be impeccable with your word Don’t take anything personally Don’t make assumptions Always do your best Christine connects each agreement to her NeuroPositive framework, showing how Presence, Perspective, and Progress can turn these ideas into daily practice.

In this solo episode, Christine Schickinger explores a timeless communication method that helps you say less - and mean more: the Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto. If you’ve ever been told to “get to the point,” or struggled to make your ideas heard, this method will transform how you structure your thoughts, presentations, and even emails.

Bianca D’Alessio is one of New York’s top real estate leaders, a TV personality from Selling the Hamptons, and the author of Mastering Intentions: 10 Practices to Amplify Your Power and Lead with Lasting Impact. In this episode, we talk about why purpose and intention matter more than goal-chasing, how to quiet the “brain bully” that sabotages success, and how to play the long game in leadership and life.

When success turns hollow, how do you find your way back to purpose? Christine talks with lawyer-turned-novelist Anusia Gillespie about burnout, healing, and her debut novel Soul Toll, which blends ambition with spiritual awakening.

What if your creativity didn’t have to please anyone but yourself? In this inspiring conversation, Amandine de Gaspari—a neurodivergent, purpose-driven coach—talks with Christine Schickinger about embracing your authentic voice, finding freedom in creativity, and redefining what it means to “be too much.”

In this inspiring episode of Lead Well!, I talk with Kevin Field, co-founder of WeFayo – a free platform connecting over 180 communities across the U.S. for families and individuals living with medical conditions or special needs. Kevin shares how his journey with his wife’s Crohn’s disease and raising a child with special needs turned into a mission: building a place where no one has to navigate health challenges alone.

What if respect and safety were the standard in every home? In this episode of Lead Well!, I speak with Sabrina Osso, founder and CEO of Osso Safe, about her mission to create safe environments where people live, learn, work, and play. Sabrina shares her powerful story as a survivor of violence, how her one-woman show grew into a movement, and why safety at home impacts every part of our lives - from school to the workplace. We also talk about her Home Safe Home children’s book, the Osso Safe property certification, and the small but impactful ways anyone can intervene to give power back to victims.

What if the answers you’ve been searching for were already inside you? In this conversation with Jamie Lerner, Integrating Wellbeing Therapist and co-author of The Ever Loving Essence of You, we explore how to shift the stories that keep us stuck, tap into our intuition, and build more authentic connections — with ourselves, others, and even nature.

In this episode of Lead Well!, Christine talks with Rebecca Bush, a specialist in dyslexia who brings both professional expertise and lived insight into what it means to learn differently. We explore: Why dyslexia is about much more than reading difficulties The hidden strengths of dyslexic thinkers – from creativity to problem-solving Practical ways to support children and adults with dyslexia How workplaces can better include neurodiverse talent Whether you’re a parent, teacher, leader, or someone navigating dyslexia yourself, this conversation will inspire you to see learning differences through a new lens.

When I asked Letitia Blanker how she was doing, she answered with two words: “I am.” In this conversation, Letitia opens up about a season when everything seemed to land at once: her father’s sudden illness, the end of a 20-year relationship, selling her home, losing her job—and then a breast cancer diagnosis just one month later. What surprised both of us: cancer didn’t break her. It gave her structure and even purpose for a time. We also talk about: Why she always wears purple, and what it means to her Discovering she’s highly gifted at 58, and how that reframed her story Her dream of becoming a different kind of funeral guide Living with the aftermath of loss while still moving forward It’s not a tidy story. But it’s an honest one—and if you’re in a hard stretch yourself, I think Letitia’s words will feel like company.

This week I talk to Pia Mailhot-Leichter. Her book "Welcome to the Creative Club: Make Life Your Biggest Art Project" is part memoir, part manifesto, and part gentle rebellion against the myth that “creativity” belongs only to the gifted few. We talk about: How Pia rediscovered her creativity on a Trans-Siberian journey Why neuroscience shows your best ideas come during rest (hello showers & daydreams!) The courage it takes to share meaningful creations — and why vulnerability connects us all Practical ways to create space for imagination, even in busy lives Why life itself is an “active sport” and you are the creative director of your own story

Apologies for the suboptimal audio. This topics seems so important we still decided to publish it. What really happens in the psychoanalyst’s office? Silences, dreams, and breakthroughs that can change a life. In this powerful conversation, Joan K. Peters shares her rare decision to reveal the private world of her psychoanalysis in her memoir Untangling. Twice in her life, Joan entered the deep work of exploring her psyche - once in her twenties, and again in her sixties. She opens up about loneliness, nightmares, family trauma, and the discoveries that brought her freedom. This episode is an invitation to look at the signals of your own psyche, and how awareness can lead to profound healing.

What if you’re not actually stuck — you’re just tuned into the wrong timeline? In this episode, I talk with Wendy Paquette, Reality Architect and master of energetic congruence, about how leaders (and anyone) can shift from outdated programming into an aligned, soul-led life.