Curveball: A podcast about possibility

What happens when life rips away the identities you thought were permanent?For Amy Jo Esser, the hits came fast: losing her brother way too soon, then losing not one but two jobs she loved. The kind of one-two punch that makes you stare at your life like… wait, who am I now?She could’ve stayed stuck there. Instead, she did something quietly powerful: she built structure where everything else felt shaky.Amy Jo doubled down on her health, her faith, and the small daily habits that kept her steady when life wasn’t. What started as survival turned into something bigger – a framework she now teaches as Winning Rhythms.Today, she helps people trade motivation (flaky, unreliable) for consistency (boring, life-changing). In this episode, she shares how grief reshaped her priorities, why she’s worked out almost every day for decades, and how missing one habit can spiral into months of “I’ll start again Monday.”We also get into her 1111 Winning Rhythm Formula, making goals non-negotiable (yes, like brushing your teeth), and why one bold move a day can change your identity faster than waiting around to “feel ready.”And get this - using her own methodology, Amy Jo has not missed a day of working out in like a thousand years. Not one day. Amazing. It’s practical. It’s honest. And it’s the kind of wisdom that actually works – especially on the days when you’d rather do literally anything else.Quote:“If you want to cross your finish lines, you must master your winning rhythms.”Guest Links:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amyjoesserInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy_jo_esserFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyjoesser

Sadia Hameed had a plan.A really good one.After 25 years leading in the nonprofit and philanthropic world – building a globally respected organization from the ground up – she walked away with a vision for something bigger, more aligned, and deeply needed.There was just one problem.No one bought it.What followed wasn’t just a business pivot. It was a full-body, soul-level collapse that forced Sadia to confront something most high-achieving women never stop to question:What if the way you’ve been taught to succeed… isn’t actually meant for you?In this conversation, Sadia shares how burnout, perfectionism, and “doing everything right” led her straight into a breaking point – and how that breaking point became the doorway into a completely different way of living, working, and leading.We talk nervous systems, identity, intuition, cycles, and what it really means to come back to yourself after years of performing.This one doesn’t just make you think – it makes you feel.Quote:“Suffering is a chosen state of being… and we can choose something different.”Guest Links:Website: https://www.sadiahameed.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sadiahameed/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadia.hameed.co/

On paper, Jon Rosenberg had it all.Big roles. Big companies. Big funding rounds. The kind of career that makes people nod approvingly and say, “Wow, you’ve really made it.”And then one day… he came home from a “successful” business trip, completely wiped, sat down on the floor to play Legos with his kids – and had a realization that stopped him cold:He had built a life he wasn’t sure he even wanted.Not exactly the kind of thought you can un-think.That moment didn’t spark a dramatic, movie-style exit. (Wouldn’t that be nice?) It started something slower. Messier. More honest.A shift from chasing success… to actually questioning what thriving looks like.In this conversation, Jon breaks down the difference between success (external, shiny, applause-worthy) and thriving (internal, grounded, yours), and introduces his AIR Method – a simple but powerful way to move out of survival mode and back into your own life.We also get into burnout, identity, the trap of tying your worth to your title, and why so many of us are walking around with just enough success to look fine… and just enough disconnection to feel anything but.If you’ve ever thought, “I should be happier than this,” this episode might hit a little close – in the best way.Quote:“We often trade our thriving for success – and that comes at a cost.” Guest Links:Website: https://www.jonrosemberg.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonrosemberg/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonrosemberg/

This one doesn’t start with a gentle nudge.It starts with everything… disappearing.In a matter of hours.DeAnna Crawford went from stable, hopeful, and building a life for her kids to broke, in debt, and wondering how she was going to put food on the table. Not because she made a reckless decision – but because trust was broken in the worst possible way.And if that wasn’t enough? Add in single motherhood, three jobs, school, and the kind of shame that makes you want to disappear.Cool, cool, cool.What happens next is where this story shifts.Because Deanna didn’t stay there.She rebuilt. Not overnight. Not magically. But step by step, job by job, decision by decision – until she created a completely different life and now helps other women do the same.We talk about what rock bottom actually feels like (hint: lonely, humbling, and weirdly clarifying), why mindset matters but isn’t the whole story, and how to start rebuilding when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and not exactly in the mood to “manifest your dream life.”If you’ve ever felt stuck, drained, or like life knocked you flat on your back – this one’s for you.Quote:“No one’s coming to save you. And that’s where your power is.”Guest Links:Website: https://deannacrawford.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/renewcoach/

She did everything right.Climbed the ladder. Put in the years. Landed the title. The paycheck. The “you made it” moment.And then… realized she hated it.In this episode, Molly Smith shares what happens when the version of success you worked 15 years for suddenly feels completely misaligned – and what it takes to walk away from it on purpose.We get into the quiet burnout that builds over time, the coping habits that sneak in when something’s off, and the moment Molly said the scariest sentence of her life out loud.Spoiler: it didn’t ruin everything. It changed everything.From stepping down in title and salary (yes, really) to redefining what success actually feels like in your body, this conversation is for anyone who’s ever thought, “I should be happy… so why am I not?”Also discussed: emotional chaos, “the funk,” quitting wine (temporarily or otherwise), and why trying to control the how and when of your life will drive you slightly bananas.Quote:“Sometimes what feels like a setback is actually the exact setup you asked for.”Guest Links:Website: https://nextbeststep.co/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mollypositivepants

Danielle Blum sat down to write a thriller.What she didn’t plan on? Interviewing over 100 people with dissociative identity disorder (DID), scrapping the story she thought she was telling, and becoming an advocate for mental health and misunderstood diagnoses in the process.In this Curveball episode, Danie shares how a novel idea turned into something much deeper  –  a calling. We talk about her journey from curiosity to compassion, what it means to hold other people’s stories with care, and how her research changed her  –  not just as a writer, but as a human.We also talk about: – How the brain protects us by splitting identity – Why integration isn't always the goal (even if therapy says it is) – What it’s like to hold secrets that aren’t yours  –  but feel like they could be – The “inner worlds” of people living with DID (think pirate ships, schools, and yes, Gollum) – Trusting your gut, even when it leads to a completely different life in PortugalIf you’re a writer, a feeler, or someone who’s been underestimated  –  this one’s for you.Quote:"Some people build pirate ships or schoolhouses in their inner world. That’s not delusion  –  that’s protection."Guest Links:Website: https://www.danielleblum.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563532341257      https://www.facebook.com/daniestarfish/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdanielleblum/?hl=en       https://www.instagram.com/daniestarfish/?hl=en

If resilience had a face, it might look a lot like David Jarvis.After more than two decades of service in the British Army, David was abruptly and medically discharged – navigating permanent injury, PTSD, and the jarring loss of identity that comes with removing the uniform for the last time. And just when he was about to compete in the Invictus Games for Team UK, life handed him one more curveball – a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis so severe, doctors told him he’d be dead in days if he hadn’t shown up when he did.Did he quit? Not a chance. Instead, David learned how to jab himself nine times a day, recalibrate his entire life, and still brought home a gold medal.This episode is an adrenaline shot of humility, perspective, and radical accountability – with one of the most inspiring stories we’ve ever heard on Curveball.Quote:“You don’t get resilience handed to you. You build it by learning to adapt.”Guest Links:Website: https://speakingsbc.com/

If your business has become a 24/7 hustle factory run by your inner control freak, take a breath. This episode might just change everything.Most entrepreneurs are not built for burnout  –  but we’re really good at walking straight into it with open arms.In this episode, Enel Soeson (co-founder of Denk B2B) serves up a truth sandwich about why most solo entrepreneurs are overworked, underpaid, and running on fumes. Spoiler: It’s not because you’re not good enough. It’s because you’re chasing the wrong clients.Enel is on a mission to help coaches, creatives, and healers stop playing small in the private client hamster wheel  –  and start packaging what they already do for businesses with real budgets. We’re talking B2B clarity, positioning, confidence, and sanity.If you’ve ever stared at your to-do list and wondered, “Why am I working harder than ever and still broke?”  –  this episode is your new Bible.Quote:“You don’t need to work harder. You need to reposition what you already do.”Guest Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enelsoeson/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enelsoeson/

No investors. No perfect English. Just a notebook, a deep faith, and a flavor-packed wing recipe. This is how Lizzie Balthazar Soria started building her dream from the kitchen table  –  one leap of faith at a time.What if the best thing you ever did… started with a notebook in your kitchen and a quiet whisper from God?That’s how Lizzie Balthazar Soria launched her first business  –  a food truck called Lizzie’s Spices of Life  –  even though English wasn’t her first language and fear was a constant companion. From slow nights and language barriers to juggling multiple jobs and walking away from steady paychecks, Lizzie’s story is a masterclass in purpose over profit and obedience over certainty.Now, she's added a salad dressing line, stepped into financial services, and even rented her truck to help other women build their dreams. If you've ever felt like you weren’t “ready”  –  not good enough, fluent enough, fancy-school enough  –  this episode will wrap you up like a warm plate of Lizzie’s wings and remind you: God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.Quote:“It wasn’t about the money  –  it was about the purpose.”Guest Links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.baltazarsoria.9Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ChefLizzy94/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzy_baltazars/

Five life-shattering curveballs. One giant truth: you can’t outrun overwhelm, but you can outsmart it.When you’re a solo mom commuting four hours a day to run a male-dominated family business in Brooklyn  –  while navigating miscarriage, divorce, abuse, and suicide loss  –  something’s gotta give. For Corrie LoGiudice (a.k.a. Cory L.), what gave was her entire identity.In this episode, Corrie breaks down the five curveballs that nearly took her out  –  and how she turned them into a method for helping high-achieving women stop drowning in their ambition. Her “Overwhelm Culprits” framework isn’t just cute branding (though yes, she trademarked it). It’s a lifeline for anyone who’s ever felt like they were stuck in survival mode but still expected to show up, smile, and slay.If you’ve ever felt like you were doing everything “right” and still falling apart inside, you need this conversation. Immediately.Quote:“You’re never fully stress-free. Life doesn’t work like that. But you can learn how to surf it better.”Guest Links:Website: https://corrielo.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcorrielo/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamcorrielo/

What do you do when your world falls apart one heartbreak at a time?For Katie Jordan, the hits just kept coming  –  a miscarriage, the loss of her grandmother, father, sister, and then, her marriage. All in just a few years. She was grieving while working full-time, parenting a toddler, and trying to remember who she was before life turned upside down.In this soul-baring conversation, Katie shares how she climbed out of the pit of despair and rebuilt her life  –  not with a five-step plan or overnight success story, but with a daily decision to keep going. To keep choosing gratitude. To keep showing up.Now, she’s a coach for divorced women, a co-author of the bestselling Start Up, Start Over, Just Start, and the creator of the Butterfly Tribe Blueprint  –  because yes, you can come out of the cocoon stronger, wiser, and with glitter on your wings.If you've ever wondered if you could get through your own sh*storm and come out the other side whole… this one’s for you.Quote:“Grief is a constant companion. But life gets to be beautiful again.”Guest Links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatieKuhnJordan/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butterflytribeblueprint

What do a rotten egg, two scoops of Raisin Bran, and a Radisson Inn with a chlorine stench have in common? According to Laura Belgray – everything you need to write your guts out and turn it into gold.This episode is a love letter to the misfits, the late bloomers, and the writers who still cringe at “authenticity.” Laura Belgray (yes, that Laura Belgray – copy queen, Talking Shrimp founder, and author of Tough Titties) joins Heather to talk about curveballs, cringe-worthy marketing jargon, her favorite AI tricks, and how to write like a real human instead of a robot in a pantsuit. Whether you’re launching something new or just trying to get your words to sound less like a TED Talk and more like a text to your funniest friend – this episode is your permission slip to let it rip.Quote:“Take going deep on the tiny things – that’s my favorite kind of writing.”Guest Links:Website: https://www.talkingshrimp.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurabelgrayBook: Tough Titties: On Living Your Best Life When You're the F-ing Worst

She’s built businesses from Google searches, walked away from law school with zero regrets, and could roof your house tomorrow if she had to. (Seriously.)Taylor Bradford doesn’t follow straight lines. She doesn’t need to.From law school to oil and gas to running her own event rental company – Taylor’s journey is one big entrepreneurial improv show, powered by grit, gumption, and a lifelong crush on Google University. She’s also the voice behind And So (formerly Boss Girl Creative), a decade-strong podcast that’s chronicled her wild ride from perfectionist to powerhouse.In this episode, we talk about the freedom of walking away, the gift of loss, and what it really means to be intentional with your energy. Taylor shares how she’s processed grief, run a company full of men who underestimate her, and learned to stand her ground without apology – in business and in life.This one is packed with truth bombs, emotional resonance, and some serious permission to change your mind.Quote:“I don’t stay in places where I feel stuck. I close the door and move on.”Guest Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bossgirlcreativehttps://www.instagram.com/taylorlbradford/

She was teaching autistic kids how to regulate – while quietly unraveling herself.Kassandra Alvarez looked like she had it all together. Board-certified behavior analyst, climbing the ranks, thriving in her field. But behind the scenes? Toxic relationships. Burnout. Addiction. And a brutal realization: she was teaching skills to kids that she wasn’t living herself.That truth cracked her open – and ultimately saved her.In this episode, Kassandra shares how she broke free from burnout by turning her clinical insight inward, quit job-hopping for external validation, and started modeling the regulation she once only coached. She now helps parents of autistic kids calm their own nervous systems first – because when the adult energy shifts, everything else follows.You’ll hear about: – Leaving a toxic environment (and the messy grief that came with it) – Going slow in a world that wants you to rush – Walking away from relationships, roles, and a life that looked good on paper – Rewriting the story – with God, peace, and purpose at the centerWhether you're a parent, practitioner, or just someone who knows the mask all too well – this one’s a breath of fresh, healing air.Quote:“Misery and peace can absolutely coexist.”Guest Links:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thatsteadyparent/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassandraalvarez/

She was six when the world told her she was wrong – for coloring outside the lines. So she spent decades getting it all right. Until illness forced everything to stop, and her inner artist finally picked up the brush.What spilled out next? Messy, wild, glorious truth.Deborah Ann Baker was the model of perfection – a PhD in counseling psychology, the gold medals, the mask that never cracked. Until her body did. A sudden diagnosis brought her life to a halt. No more pushing. No more pretending.And in that stillness? She met her six-year-old self – the little girl who was once scolded for coloring a tree purple. That memory became the spark that led Deborah back to herself through abstract art, deep healing, and the radical act of saying “no” to the mask and “yes” to her truth.In this conversation, we talk about: – What creativity can reveal when words fall short – Why your inner perfectionist isn’t the enemy (just outdated) – How to listen for the whisper of your soul when everything feels numb – And why being witnessed – not fixed – is what we really needWhether you’ve forgotten what you love or feel like you’ve outgrown the life you carefully built… this one’s a compass back to you.Quote:“You don’t need to be fixed. You need to be witnessed.”Guest Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborakannbakerart/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeborahAnnBakerArtLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahannbaker/Website: https://deborahann-baker.pixels.com/

He lost the one identity that had defined him forever. Then he lost the job. And then almost lost his marriage.But this isn't a story about failure. It's about what you do next.Tony Coyne is a former Yale baseball star turned corporate leader, dad, and accidental life philosopher. He wrote the book The Curveball Life – no connection to this podcast, though it's kind of perfect – to unpack how we bounce back when everything we built our lives on gets stripped away.In this conversation, Tony talks about navigating brutal setbacks (think: a career-ending injury, a financial tailspin, and a near move that would've wrecked his family), and why most of us are running on old identity scripts that no longer fit.We also get into: – What not to do when you hit rock bottom – The glass ball vs. rubber ball test for life decisions – Why youth sports culture might be quietly breaking our kids – And what it means to truly let them be little – without dimming their lightIf you’ve ever asked, “Who am I without the thing I’ve always been good at?” – this one’s for you.Quote:“Your worst moment doesn’t define you. What you do next does.”Guest Links:Website: https://www.thecurveballlife.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecurveballlifeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecurveballlife       https://www.facebook.com/tony.coyne.22

She spent 15 years becoming a doctor. And then she quit.Dr. Zarya Rubin did what most people only fantasize about: she stepped off the treadmill before it broke her completely. After chasing the dream of medicine all the way to Columbia and beyond, she hit a wall – the kind you don’t bounce back from with a vacation or a green juice. It took a literal wake-up call (a phone call, actually) to snap her out of the “I’m fine” trance and into a radically new life.In this conversation, Zarya shares what no one tells you about burnout, why your check engine light is blinking for a reason, and how “do one thing less” became her mantra for healing. She also drops knowledge on stress, breathwork, and how opera (yes, opera) can help regulate your nervous system.If you’ve been pushing too hard for too long, this one’s your permission slip to stop.Quote:“I went into medicine to help people. I didn’t realize I’d have to abandon myself to do it.”Guest Links:Website + Burnout Toolkit: drzarya.comInstagram: @drzaryarubinPodcast: Outsmart Burnout

She tried to be the perfect picture of Zen – silent retreat, serene vibes, inner peace, and all that. But it only made her more anxious.Turns out, healing didn’t come from silence. It came from dance floors, karaoke nights, and finally listening to her body.Hannah Talbot was the last person you'd expect to become a meditation teacher. Too loud. Too busy. Too movement-obsessed. But when a traditional 10-day silent retreat left her more anxious than enlightened, she realized something big: Stillness isn’t safe for everyone.In this conversation, Hannah shares how she went from running restaurants and drinking martinis to founding Anamkara, a healing center rooted in somatic movement, mindfulness, and trauma-informed energy work. We talk about the difference between joy and fun, why being “bad at meditating” isn’t a thing, and how to stop outsourcing your healing to everyone but yourself.Also, we talk about toast. You'll see.Quote:“Meditation doesn’t have to be silent. It can sound like music. It can look like movement.”Guest Links:Website: anamcarahealing.centerLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hannah-talbot-7b8ab1279

What happens when a “painfully shy” woman loses her job, sells her house, packs up her family (and two dogs), and starts a business from a 300-square-foot RV?Turns out, she finds her voice — and helps hundreds of speakers find theirs, too.Nona Prather used to be the quiet one. The behind-the-scenes girl. The “don’t call on me” kid who hated public speaking and avoided the spotlight like it was contagious. But then 2020 hit like a wrecking ball. Nona and her husband both lost their jobs. Instead of spiraling, they sold everything, moved into an RV with their daughter and two fluffy-but-not-so-small dogs, and started over.From campground Wi-Fi and seven-minute showers to running a successful speaker booking agency and getting up on stage herself, Nona's story is a masterclass in midlife reinvention — the kind that starts with “why not?” and ends with “watch me.”Quotes“I was the only one telling myself I couldn’t do it. And then I thought — what if I’m wrong?”Guest Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nona-prather-b5663010a/Website: https://speakerelevation.com/

What do you do when your body taps out mid-shampoo and leaves you holding the scissors and the pieces of your old life?Ronni Morgan was doing what she loved – building her business behind the chair, running, living life full throttle – when her hip suddenly gave out. Right in the middle of a haircut. What followed was a medical mystery tour that included two hip replacements by 31, a diagnosis of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a neck that couldn’t hold up her head, and chronic pain that redefined her entire identity.In this vulnerable, funny, deeply human conversation, Ronni shares what it means to grieve the person you used to be, stop trying to “earn” your meds, and let yourself be seen – even when every part of you wants to hide.She also bedazzled her neck brace. Because of course she did.If you’ve ever felt like your body betrayed you, like you were faking it just to keep up, or like it’s “not that bad” so you shouldn’t say anything… this episode is for you.Quotes“Grief isn’t linear. I grieve who I used to be – and sometimes who I thought I’d become.”Guest Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronnimorgan/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veronica.morgan.87

What do you do when your TEDx is about to blow up… and a pandemic blows everything up instead?Robbie Samuels had it all lined up. TEDx talk? Check. Big breakout moment? Imminent. Ten years of reputation-building as the go-to networking expert? Locked.And then March 2020 hit.In a matter of days, the world shut down–and Robbie’s in-person speaking career went poof. Most people would’ve panicked. Robbie pivoted. He threw a virtual happy hour on Zoom, invented a whole new offer in real time, and rebuilt his business in a way that doubled his income in a year.Now? He’s a book launch strategist helping authors with tiny lists get big results. And in this episode, he spills all the good stuff: – How he goes from idea to pilot program in under 12 weeks – Why networking is still your #1 marketing superpower – And how to show up with value before you’re readyAlso: croissants, not bagels. (You’ll see.)Quotes“You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to be one step ahead of what you promised.”Guest Links:LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiesamuelsFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/robbiesamuelsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/robbiesamuelsWebsite: https://robbiesamuels.com/

What do you do when life pitches you nine curveballs… in two years? If you’re Bruce Cryer, you take the hit, heal your heart (literally), and come back tap dancing on titanium hips.Bruce Cryer had it all dialed in. Broadway star turned CEO of HeartMath, globetrotting educator, and champion of heart-brain coherence. Then life went full demolition mode: bladder cancer, four staph infections (one in his blood), his mom died, he got divorced, and both hips needed replacing.All that – in under two years.But here’s the kicker. He didn’t just recover. He reimagined his life. Bruce stepped down from the C-suite and leaned into the work of healing, creativity, and joy.In this episode, we talk about: – Why rest is a radical act (especially for high-achievers) – The moment he felt like a human IV pole and a total badass – What “coherence” really means – and how it changes your health – Letting go of guilt when you leave people (and identities) behind – Why your heart is more than a pump – and how it actually leads your brainThis one’s for anyone who’s had to rebuild from rubble and is wondering, “What now?” Spoiler: Bruce says, let your heart answer that.Quotes:“It wasn’t just the pain – it was the grief of letting go of who I thought I was.”Guest Links:Website: https://brucecryer.com/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brucecryerInstagram: www.instagram.com/bruce_cryerFacebook: www.facebook.com/brucecryer151Free Gifts: Sonic Sanctuaries and eBook http://brucecryer.com/two-free-gifts-for-an-inspired-life

Her husband was diagnosed with cancer. She quit her job.Not the plot of a rom-com – Toby Myles’s real life.And it led her exactly where she was meant to go.Toby Myles had a plan – a dream, really. Leave her corporate job of 15 years, grow her handmade jewelry biz, ride into the sunset with her newly retired husband and a few restored motorcycles. But life had other ideas: incurable blood cancer kind of ideas.Most people would cling to the job, the benefits, the security blanket. Toby handed in her notice on New Year’s Eve and took the leap anyway – with zero guarantees and one giant motivator: time is a non-renewable resource.In this moving and funny and wildly practical episode, Toby shares what happened next. Spoiler: it involves a copywriting side hustle that bloomed into a full-blown career, Friday chemo dates, a hand injury that rerouted her whole business, and the realization that storytelling (not just jewelry) was her real magic.We talk about grief, risk, the real reason people avoid storytelling in business, and why sometimes the "bad timing" is actually the best timing there is.Quotes“You can’t copy someone else’s story and expect it to land. Yours is the one that connects.”Guest Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-myles/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobymyles_copywriting/Website: https://tobymyles.com/

She had the credentials, the clients, the “dream career.” Then her body hit the brakes so hard she ended up in a neurology unit, unable to walk.What Fleur Sclarandis discovered in the aftermath wasn’t just healing – it was a new way to live.At the height of her career as a psychotherapist and certified coach, Fleur Sclarandis was doing everything “right.” She was helping others, hitting milestones, showing up with a smile – and feeling absolutely dead inside. Until one morning, her legs just… stopped working.That medical mystery became her body’s way of saying enough.In this episode, Fleur takes us into the heart of that collapse – and the radical healing that followed. No trendy green juices, no manifestation vision boards. Just the slow, quiet, soul-level work of learning to rest, reconnect, and finally feel like herself again.She shares the truth about personal development burnout, what we’re getting wrong about productivity and “success,” and how to start listening to your inner wisdom before your nervous system stages a coup.This is the episode to queue up if you’ve ever:Burned out from being “the strong one”Tried to heal by pushing harderFelt like you lost yourself somewhere on the path to helping everyone elseIt’s an honest, liberating conversation about what happens when you stop trying to fix yourself – and start listening instead.Quote:“The storm won’t last forever. But you’ve got to feel it to heal it.”Guest Links:Website: https://fleursclarandis.com/

She failed accounting. Became a top storyboard artist. Got booted by the industry. Painted 40 canvases in 30 days. Sold 11 in an hour. Susan Peppler’s story is what happens when you follow your joy and trust your gut – even when it’s covered in paint.Susan Pepler didn’t set out to become a professional fine artist. She just kept following what felt almost impossible – and then doing it anyway.In this vibrant and joy-splashed episode, Susan shares how she went from flunking business school (twice) to becoming a wildly successful painter, selling giant florals for $11K a piece, and eventually launching Paint Club, an online program that helps beginners create art that surprises the hell out of them.Along the way: – She was a top storyboard artist back when people still drew by hand – She painted 40 canvases in a month with zero business plan – She made $5K in a whole year and kept going – She heard “hope is not a strategy” and built a new one – She made her own damn path, big peonies and allThis one’s for the creative souls (especially women) who’ve been waiting for permission to go big. Consider this it.Quote:“Your art is your handwriting. You’re the only one who paints like you.”Guest Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanpepler_floralpaintings/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanpepler/

He spent decades training for fights in the ring. But the biggest one? It showed up uninvited, with no gloves and no warning.Shane Swartz grew up in the boxing world — breaking records at 7, training under his dad, and going pro by the time most kids were still learning long division. But in his 40s, mid-sparring session with one of his fighters, he felt a lump on his neck. What followed wasn’t a title bout — it was cancer. Stage: terrifying. Timing: brutal. Twin toddlers at home. A wife. No backup plan.In this raw and powerful episode, Shane shares how he approached his cancer diagnosis like a training camp, how his faith and community kept him from breaking, and why he turned his fight into fuel for others — launching a nonprofit boxing event that raises money for people with cancer (not research labs, not hospital systems — actual humans fighting the fight). We talk fatherhood, medical debt, masculinity, grief, grit, and what really matters when life takes a swing at you.If you’ve ever wondered how to turn pain into purpose — or just needed a reminder that love is louder than fear — Shane’s story will hit you right in the gut. In the best way.Quote“I treated cancer like a training camp. Some days were long, some sucked — but I came to win.”Guest Links:Website: https://kocbc.org/Instagram: ​​https://www.instagram.com/knockoutcancerboxingclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/shane.swartz.12

She survived blood clots in her brain, a crumbling marriage, a depression so deep she couldn’t get out of bed – and came back as a full-blown joyful anarchist. Now, Mama Kate’s here to help you torch the “shoulds” and light up your soul.Kate White – aka Mama Kate – has been through it. Fibromyalgia. Liver disease. Brain bleeds. A gastric bypass that almost ended her marriage. Retirement that nearly broke her. And underneath it all, a lifelong secret: she was raised in a seance room by psychic parents but spent decades cloaking her truth just to stay safe.But that’s not the story she’s telling anymore.In this episode, Kate shares how she moved from self-erasure to joyful anarchy – her personal revolution of living out loud, loving radically, and becoming the kind of spiritual badass who teaches others to trade martyrdom for meaning.This one is a hug, a flashlight, and a high-five from your inner child – all rolled into one.Quote“From cloaks to capes to wings – not all superheroes fly, but I do in my dreams.”Guest Links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateWhiteHeARTistInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/eversokateWebsite: https://www.eversokate.com/

She thought she’d swan dive into motherhood and belly-flop back into boss mode. But postpartum depression had other plans.Emily King had the dream life on paper – a thriving business, a new baby, a panini press (a true sign of adulthood). But what came next wasn’t the sweet maternity leave she pictured. It was darkness. Full-on, heart-racing, can’t-sleep, can’t-eat postpartum anxiety and depression.In this raw and deeply human conversation, Emily shares what it’s like when your body and brain betray you at the same time. The breaking point, the meds that saved her, the guilt spiral, the healing – and how she’s rebuilt both her life and business around grace, not grind.This is for every woman who’s ever felt like she should be grateful but just wants to disappear. Emily is your permission slip and your proof that healing is possible – and it doesn’t require perfection.Quote:“The opposite of depression isn’t happiness – it’s hope.Guest Links:Website: https://www.emilyking.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyking.caFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyking.ca

She checked all the boxes – dream job, dream guy, dream health – and still had a panic attack in her graduation cap. What her body told her next changed her whole damn life.Loren Cellentani looked like she had it all together. Art school grad. Landed a fashion industry job. Clean-eating her way to Instagram-worthy “wellness.” But when she had a panic attack at her college graduation, everything cracked. Turns out, beneath the curated life was chronic anxiety dressed up in affirmations and quinoa bowls.In this deeply honest, beautifully woo-but-practical conversation, Loren unpacks how her anxiety, divorce, and even disordered eating became spiritual breadcrumbs – guiding her from corporate burnout to a life built on emotional sovereignty. Now a mentor to entrepreneurs and soul-led creatives, Loren teaches women how to stop outsourcing their power and start listening to the one expert who always knows: their body.Quote:“Healing isn’t about being high vibe – it’s about being honest.”Guest Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorencellentaniYouTube: https://youtube.com/@lorencellentaniWebsite: https://www.lorencellentani.com

The marriage unraveled. Her body gave out. Her big-deal career fell apart. And somehow… she got happier.Here's how Shawn Mahshie flipped her rock-bottom into a life of peace, purpose, and pretty unbelievable healing.Shawn Mahshie doesn’t just talk about transformation – she embodies it. After her health, marriage, and career all collapsed like a row of sad dominoes, she found herself sobbing in a clawfoot tub, realizing she’d abandoned herself one small compromise at a time. That moment cracked her wide open – and kicked off a two-decade journey into energy medicine, nervous system healing, and self-forgiveness work that now helps thousands find peace with themselves and the people who triggered the hell out of them.In this soul-nourishing, brain-expanding episode, Shawn shares the origins of her “Symmetry Principle” – the radical idea that what triggers or hurts you actually holds your path out of pain. She walks us through the science, the spiritual shifts, and the deeply human process of learning how to stop turning against yourself, even when life is coming at you like a batting cage of curveballs.Quote“You can’t be in fight-or-flight and rest-and-digest at the same time. One has to go.”Guest LinksFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThriveThisTimeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnmahshieWebsite: https://shawnmahshie.comFree flipbook: Escape the Prison of Your Thoughts

She had the PhD, the healthcare leadership job, and the burnout badge of honor. Then COVID and E. coli said, “Sit down.” So she did – and stood up for her life.Before she became a burnout coach and psychology-whisperer to high achievers, Jesseca Tighe was a therapist-turned-healthcare exec just trying to keep it all together. She had the title, the inbox, and the never-ending calls at all hours. But the truth? She was one exhale away from collapse. Then the curveballs came in fast – first COVID, then E. coli, then back-to-back losses that left her physically wrecked and emotionally cracked open. But it was in that wreckage – jobless, speechless, and horizontal on the couch – that Jesseca decided to finally listen to her body and rebuild from scratch. Today, she helps other overworked, under-nurtured women trade burnout for boundaries, and reconnect with the lives they almost forgot they wanted.Quote:“Burnout doesn’t always blow up your life – it seeps in like water under a door.”Links:Website: soulutionsforhealth.comFacebook: Jesseca Tighe Instagram: @jessecatighe LinkedIn: Jesseca Tighe, Ph.D. - Leadership Coach

She left her marriage, her children, and her entire identity as a cardiac nurse – because her body begged her to. It nearly broke her… until it didn’t.For decades, Jodi Anne Law was the picture of Western medicine: cardiac nurse, ICU shifts, adrenaline-fueled precision. But her own heart had other plans. After a breakdown left her sobbing through yoga classes and doubting everything she thought she knew – including what it meant to be a good mother – Jodi walked away from the life that was breaking her down, one ignored signal at a time.In this raw, radiant episode, Jodi opens up about the life-shattering decision to leave her kids in order to save herself – and how that led her to a path of energetic healing that now helps others reconnect to the quiet wisdom of their own bodies. Whether you're nursing old wounds or just tired of pushing through, this conversation is your permission to slow down, feel deeply, and maybe cry in savasana.Quote:“No mother does that – leaves her children – unless she’s not sound in herself.”Guest Links:Website: www.jodiannelaw.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodiannelaw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodiannelawYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBScCCtWuEAaE_FGIKcyLA

She finally cracked the code on mindful eating – then life flipped the table. A terrifying diagnosis. A stress spiral. A breakthrough she never saw coming.Claire Ketchum had finally found food freedom after 20 years of yo-yo dieting. Mindful eating wasn’t just working – it felt like magic. Until her 9-year-old daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and suddenly food became math, medicine, and anxiety. The mindful bliss was gone, replaced by panic and guilt. In this powerful, illuminating conversation, Claire breaks down how she escaped the chronic stress loop – that sneaky cycle where stress hijacks your willpower – and how she now helps teens (and the parents who love them) develop real-deal, sustainable, healthy habits. Spoiler: it's not about food. It’s about trust, stress resilience, and giving up the myth that willpower is the answer.Quote: “You can’t eat mindfully when your brain is in fight-or-flight mode.”Guest Links:Website: claireketchum.comFree Balanced Body Blueprint: The Balanced Body BlueprintInstagram: @claireketchum.ck

She was taking care of everyone – her parents, her child, her career, and someone with cancer. Then she realized she was disappearing.Rachel Collins was juggling a demanding HR career, raising a son, and helping care for her aging parents – when someone else in her life was suddenly diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. With zero warning, she became the full-time caregiver for a full-time crisis. She held it together like only an oldest daughter can – but beneath the to-do lists and doctor visits, Rachel felt herself vanishing. Until a moment of clarity (and a good cry with girlfriends) led her to reclaim something she hadn’t prioritized in years: herself. In this episode, Rachel shares the mindful productivity practice that helped her rebuild her identity, the art ritual that became her sanity anchor, and what it really takes to go from barely surviving to intentionally living. This one’s for every woman who’s ever tried to carry too much – and thought she had to.Quote:“I could keep it all going – but there was no time left for me. And that had to change.”Guest Links:Website: passionpurpose.todayLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachelcollinstalent

She left a penis off her sketch – and it cracked open a decades-long pattern of shame she didn’t even know she was carrying.When Michelle Dovey sat down to draw a statue of Apollo in Florence, she didn’t mean to leave something out. But there it was – a blank spot where the genitals should’ve been. This accidental omission turned into a revelation: her artistic gaze had been unconsciously edited by years of shame, modesty, and good girl conditioning. So what did she do? She started drawing cocks. A hundred of them. The result is her wildly unfiltered, beautifully rebellious Naked Man Project – and in this episode, Michelle talks about art, body image, unshaming the male form, and what happens when you start seeing people (and yourself) through curious, compassionate eyes. It’s funny, raw, and full of unexpected tenderness. Just like her drawings.Quote:“I didn’t realize my gaze was edited – until that blank space showed me what I’d been too afraid to see.”Guest Links:Instagram: @michelledoveyartistFacebook: michelle.dovey.10LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelle-dovey-07a630378Website: https://liberate.michelledovey.com

He lost his marriage, his home, his business, and his health. He hit rock bottom – and called it the best year of his life.Dallas Collis didn’t just get a curveball – he got the whole pitching machine. In one brutal year, he was diagnosed with cancer, hit a breaking point with alcoholism, and watched his marriage, family, and business fall apart. And somehow, he looks back on that year and says, “It was the best thing that ever happened to me.” In this gripping, grace-filled conversation, Dallas shares how he stopped chasing safety and started living fully. He talks about collapsing his life into 16-hour days, taking radical responsibility, and waking up from what he calls “the sleepwalking story mind.” If you’ve ever felt stuck in your past or scared to start over – this is the permission slip you didn’t know you needed.Quote: “You don’t have to keep believing the story that broke you.”Guest Links:Instagram: @dallasfit5lifeTikTok: @dallascollis.com

She woke up in an upside-down car, miles from home, with a shattered pelvis – and still tried to project manage the rescue.Lillian Mumford was riding in an Uber, two states away from home, when a car crash turned her world literally upside down. One moment she was the new hire on a business trip – the next, she was lying on the roof of a totaled vehicle, unable to move. What followed was a year of learning to walk again, living with traumatic brain injury, and figuring out how to ask for help when every bone in her body wanted independence. In this powerful conversation, Lillian shares how she coped with physical trauma, managed emotional rage, and discovered what healing actually looks like – hint: it’s not linear, and it’s definitely not glamorous.She’s also hilarious, by the way – even when talking about crutches, two right shoes, and learning to breathe like her life depended on it (because it did).Quote:“I used to think I didn’t need help. Then I couldn’t get from one room to another without it.”Guest Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillian-mumford

He spent years saving his kids’ lives. Then he lost his son – and found his voice.Jason Tuttle was in the trenches of parenting in a way most of us can’t imagine. His two children were born with rare, complex medical needs – non-verbal, seizure-prone, and in need of constant care. Jason became their full-time caregiver, learning to read every cue, every silence, and navigating hospital stays with the precision of a NASCAR pit crew. Then, in 2022, Jason faced the unimaginable – the sudden loss of his 15-year-old son, Zachary. What happened next? Instead of retreating, Jason sat down, wrote a letter, and hit “send.” That letter became Letters to Zachary, now a global grief community helping men (and anyone who grieves) find a voice for their pain. In this powerful conversation, Jason talks about fatherhood, identity, grief, and the raw, unedited truth of what it means to love and lose – and to find purpose on the other side.Quote:“I didn’t want to sugarcoat grief. I wanted people to see it – sharp edges and all.”Guest Links:👉 Website: letterstozachary.com👉 Instagram & TikTok: @letterstozachary2022👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Letters-to-Zachary👉LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-tuttle-4264112a7/👉 Grief Coloring Book: available via his website

Her backup plan needed a backup plan. Then Tiffany got creative – and made $7,000 off Craigslist without leaving her house.Tiffany Archer was cruising through life with not one but two careers – flight attendant and real estate agent – until the pandemic took them both out in a matter of weeks. No flights. No listings. No paycheck. But instead of panicking, Tiffany did what all great curveball survivors do – she got scrappy. What started with a desperate Craigslist search turned into a profitable real estate investing business, her first $7K deal, and a complete mindset shift. In this conversation, we talk about how she went from side hustle to full-time real estate investor, how crystals and playlists became part of her manifesting practice, and why affirmations finally started working when she threw out the ones that didn’t feel true.Quote:“I didn’t need a backup plan – I needed to bet on myself.”Guest Links:👉 Website: realestaterebel.org👉Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rerebel101👉 Instagram: @rrealestate_rebel👉YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@realestaterebel8809👉 Journal: Manifest Dreams Affirmation Journal available on her site or Amazon

She saw the pandemic coming before it had a name. Then she manifested a private jet in under two weeks. But the real plot twist? She’s here to help you do the same – no magic wand required.What do you do when life flings a flaming curveball at your head? If you’re Allison Al-Khemia, you turn it into something sparkly, meaningful, and maybe even airborne.Allison isn’t just a quantum manifestation coach. She’s a lifelong intuitive who’s been seeing visions since she was three, raised three boys as a single mom, alchemized her own trauma into healing, and once got a literal jet to show up in her life within 12 days of writing it down.In this deeply magical and grounded conversation, she and Heather dive into how fear can be your teacher, why moving your body is more effective than manifesting from your yoga mat, and what it means to live in alignment with your energetic design. There’s also some moon-howling, a psychic download or two, and one hell of a story about what happens when you really trust your power.This one’s for the dreamers, the skeptics, the seekers, and anyone who’s ever cried in their garden and called it growth. You’re not wrong. You’re alchemizing.Guest Links:Website: https://www.allisonalkhemia.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alchemywithallisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/dancingbrynRetreat Info: May 30 – June 4 in Costa Rica – see website for details

She got fired from her “safe” job after 17 years. Then she hiked the Inca Trail, discovered ADHD, and became a financial coach. (Not in that order.)Sherry Andrews spent nearly two decades climbing the corporate ladder at a cheese packaging plant – no joke. She was loyal, reliable, and doing what she thought she was supposed to do. Then the company handed her a pink slip and a very abrupt identity crisis. Suddenly jobless, in shock, and forced to reevaluate everything, Sherry went on a literal trek (to Peru), got real about her finances, and built a whole new career that aligned with her brain and her values. In this conversation, she talks about the trauma of getting let go from the “safe” path, what she learned about money (and herself) after being diagnosed with ADHD, and how budgeting can be both empowering and fun – yes, fun. If your paycheck feels like a lifeline you hate holding onto, this one’s for you.Quote:“People don’t care what letters are after your name. They care that you know where they are – and that you can help.”Guest Links: 👉 Website: www.moneymindsetfc.com 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moneymindsetcoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneymindsetfc/?hl=en 👉 Podcast: Mind and Money Podcast

She spent 15 years chasing a dream that almost killed her. Then came the burnout, the grief, the tango – and the decision to turn back.Dr. Zarya Rubin was supposed to be living her dream. She was on track to become a neurologist, deep into her fellowship at Columbia, doing the doctor thing after fifteen years of training. But the dream had started to feel like a beautifully wrapped trap – and then came the wake-up call: a sudden death, soul-crushing burnout, and the realization that her body, mind, and life were waving giant red flags. In this episode, Zarya shares how she walked away from the career that defined her, what tango dancing in Argentina taught her about healing, and why doing less is the boldest move you can make when your nervous system is screaming “no more.” Plus, we dig into her now-famous mantra: Do one thing less. It’s as radical – and life-giving – as it sounds.Quote: “No matter how far you’ve gone down the wrong road, turn back.”Guest Links:👉 Website + Burnout Toolkit: drzarya.com👉 Instagram: @drzaryarubin👉 Podcast: Outsmart Burnout

She was living the travel blogger dream – until the dream got old, COVID wiped her income, and Google finished the job.Taylor Lorenz had what most of us daydream about: a life of nonstop travel, a successful blog, and money rolling in while she crisscrossed the globe. But behind the highlight reel? A serious case of burnout, loneliness, and a creeping sense that her dream life wasn’t dreamy anymore. Then COVID hit, slashing her income by 90% overnight. Just as she pivoted to writing about yoga – boom – Google’s algorithm tanked her traffic again. Curveball much? But Taylor didn’t quit. Instead, she slowed down, got still, and found herself (literally) on the mat. Today, she’s a yoga teacher and mentor, helping other new instructors ditch imposter syndrome and own their energy. In this conversation, we talk about knowing when it’s time to let go of a dream, what it actually feels like to turn inward, and why props are a yogi’s best friend.Quote:“I started yoga to fix my body. I stayed with it to fix my mind.”Guest Links:👉 Website & socials: taylors tracks (Instagram, blog, everything – same handle, one-stop shop)👉 Program: Sacred Exploration – for yoga teachers ready to share their gift but stuck in self-doubt.

She tried hustling her way to success – until a hurricane, an ICU stay, and a failing launch forced her to rethink everything.Laura Brandenburg was chasing every online business goal: bigger launches, bigger teams, bigger revenue. But in 2018, life said, “Girl, sit down.” First came Hurricane Florence. Then, a mystery illness that landed Laura in the ICU – days after a business launch had flopped. It was a cosmic smackdown, and it worked. Laura started asking herself the questions most entrepreneurs avoid: What do I actually want? And what if scaling back could be the best growth strategy? In this conversation, we talk about simplifying to scale, hiring with intention, and redefining hustle on your own damn terms. Spoiler: it looks a lot like the happy hustle – less crying on the stairs, more clarity and joy.Quote:“I spent years chasing goals that weren’t even mine. Now everything I do starts with: do I actually want to do this?”Guest Links:👉 Website: bridging-the-gap.com👉 YouTube: @BridgingtheGapBA👉 LinkedIn: Laura Brandenburg

She tried to end her life at 13. Now she helps others find their way back from the dark – with a literal magic wand.When Alexis Skopos was 13, she made a decision to end her life. Instead, the universe threw her a messy, painful curveball – one that rewrote her story entirely. She grew up, got her degree in counseling, and dove headfirst into community mental health – until burnout hit hard. That’s when a friend casually asked, “Why don’t you start your own practice?” Alexis did – and she’s never looked back. Today, she’s the co-founder of Be Kind to Mind, where she helps clients heal trauma through a cutting-edge technique called brain spotting (yep, she literally waves a wand – and it works). In this conversation, we talk about what trauma really is, how your nervous system tries to protect you by keeping you stuck, and why the belief that “other people have it worse” is the sneakiest trap of all.Quote:“Your brain knows how to heal – it just needs to feel safe enough to do it.”Guest Links:👉 Website: bekindtomind.com👉 Instagram: @bekindtomindcounseling👉 Facebook: Be Kind to Mind Counseling

She lost her dad, canceled her first retreat, and nearly stayed stuck playing small – until she turned grief into her greatest leadership lesson.When Talmar Anderson sold out her first-ever retreat, she thought she was finally hitting her stride as a business owner. But life had other plans. Just two weeks before the event, Talmar’s dad passed away unexpectedly. The retreat? Canceled. The money? Gone. And what followed wasn’t just grief – it was years of staying small, convincing herself she didn’t need to lead live events, hiding behind “reasonable” business excuses. But here’s the cool thing: Talmar stopped listening to that ‘reasonable voice’ that was holding her down and came back stronger, built a business she loves, and now teaches entrepreneurs how to build teams that can hold them – especially on their hardest days.In this conversation, we talk about turning curveballs into clarity, hiring without sabotaging your business, and how finding the right team is the ultimate freedom.Quote:“Your team is your safety net – especially on your worst day.”Connect with TalmarBook a call: zoomwithtalmar.comSocial: @yourbosshq across Instagram, LinkedIn, and moreLearn about building your dream team: yourbosshq.com

She’s a work-from-home mom of five who homeschools, cooks from scratch – and still runs a business. Her secret? It’s not hustle. It’s strategy.Alyssa Wolff isn’t here to sell you another hustle story. She’s here to show you how to unbusy your life – even when it’s bursting at the seams. A homeschooling mom of five (yes, five), Alyssa launched her business with a newborn in tow and never looked back. Her secret? A three-part strategy that keeps her sane: scheduling, delegation, and mindset – in that order. In this conversation, we talk about why your to-do list is secretly sabotaging you, how to brain-dump your way out of overwhelm, and why moms (and business owners) need to stop cramming their schedules like it’s an overstuffed suitcase.Quote:"Your calendar isn’t your enemy. It’s your best tool for cutting through the shoulds and actually living your life."Connect with Alyssa:Website: yourunbusylife.comPodcast: The Unbusy MomInstagram: @alyssa.unbusyFacebook: Alyssa Wolff - Your Unbusy Life

When life left him flat on his back, Jonathan Marion discovered how to stop proving his worth — and start living it.Jonathan spent years collecting all the shiny gold stars — tenure, titles, academic success — until life came in swinging.In the span of months, Jonathan’s body broke down from spinal nerve damage, his most meaningful relationship ended, and his identity as a “human doing” completely unraveled.Stuck on his back, unable to walk, Jonathan had one of those dark-night-of-the-soul moments: Who am I if I’m not constantly achieving?What came next was his curveball — and his breakthrough.In this episode, Jonathan shares how losing everything taught him how to _be_everything. We talk about the Being Framework, why chasing success often leaves you emptier, and how to swap hustle for intention without losing your ambition.Quote:“Any ‘should’ is fighting with what is. Replace it with ‘could’ — and your whole life changes.”Connect with Jonathan:Explore his work: stepsalongtheway.globalBook a free next-steps chat: stepstochat.com

She followed every rule her father gave her — until he told her she was nothing without him.Eloise Tomkins grew up doing exactly what was expected. She got the good grades, earned the safe degree, landed the secure job — all with her dad’s voice in her head telling her that women couldn’t manage money and needed men to provide.But then her dad had a stroke. And what followed cracked her entire identity wide open.One sentence – “You are nothing without me” – flipped a switch. Eloise walked away from the life she was told to want and built one she actually loved.In this chat, we talk about generational money trauma, the nervous system’s role in pricing your offers, and why you don’t need another affirmation – you need to feel safe in your body to get rich.Quote:“He never believed in me. So I decided to believe in myself — and build everything he said I couldn’t.”Connect with Eloise:Instagram: @‌eloisetomkins_Facebook: eloisetomkinscoachingPodcast: Rich Woman RisingQuiz: What’s Your Money Block?

Alison Vidotto doesn’t just teach resilience — she embodies it. Over 30+ years running her own businesses (while raising six kids, mind you), she’s survived the kind of curveballs that knock most people flat: economic collapse, industry crashes, an office literally underwater.Her secret? Systems. Strategy. And a refusal to crumble.In this episode, Alison breaks down how to bounce back like a boss, why marketing isn’t always your problem (even if it feels like it), and how AI is leveling the playing field for entrepreneurs who’ve been bootstrapping their way through chaos.If you’ve ever screamed “I just need more leads,” Alison’s about to lovingly call your bluff — and show you what to fix instead.Quote:“Systems might not be sexy — but you know what is? A healthy bank balance and a holiday in your favorite city.”Connect with Alison👉 Free AI resources: AI for Entrepreneurs Guide👉 Facebook: Alison.Vidotto.Business.Mentor👉 LinkedIn: Alison Vidotto