Podcasts about Vulnerability

If you've built a life that looks great from the outside but still feels like something's missing on the inside, the problem might not be your relationship — it might be how much of yourself you're actually bringing to it. Whether it's a body image spiral that shuts you down in the bedroom, a long-term dynamic that's gone quietly cold, or a fear of vulnerability that's been running the show since day one, the shift almost always starts with one honest conversation. In this episode, volleyball legend, entrepreneur, and mother of three Gabby Reece gets real about what it actually takes to keep desire, respect, and intimacy alive after decades together — and why most of us are working harder than we need to. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why the masculine and feminine dynamic has been completely misunderstood — and how redefining it can transform your relationship and your sex life • What Gabby and Laird's 48-hour rule actually looks like in practice, and whether a structure like that could work for you • How to stop torturing yourself in the bedroom and finally get out of your head long enough to actually feel something • The real reason long-term relationships lose their spark — and the daily habits that keep attraction from quietly dying • How to talk to your kids about sex, body image, and peer pressure in a way that actually lands • Why vulnerability isn't a personality trait you either have or don't — it's a skill, and it's one you can learn This episode is sponsored by... Try Promescent Delay Spray today and get 15% off your first order. Just go to www.promescent.com/swe More Dr. Emily:  • Shop With Emily! Explore Emily's favorite toys, pleasure accessories, bedroom essentials, and more — designed to support your pleasure and confidence. Free shipping on orders $99+ (some exclusions apply).5 • Interested in 1:1 Coaching with Emily? Go to sexwithemily.com/coaching to apply!  • Sex With Emily Guides: Explore pleasure, deepen connections, and enhance intimacy using these Sex With Emily downloadable guides. • The only sex book you'll ever need: Smart Sex: How to Boost Your Sex IQ and Own Your Pleasure • Want more? Visit the Sex With Emily Website • Let's get social: Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok | Threads | YouTube • Let's text: Sign up here • Want me to slide into your email inbox? Sign Up Here for sex tips on the regular. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 1:12 - Meet Gabby Reese: Athlete, Entrepreneur & Podcast Host 1:25 - Running a Business With Your Partner (Without Losing Your Mind) 6:30 - Defining Masculine & Feminine Energy in Relationships 11:03 - Vulnerability, Fear & What It Really Takes to Love Someone 13:34 - How Being an Athlete Impacts Your Sex Life & Libido 17:04 - Gut Health & Its Connection to Sexual & Mental Wellness 18:36 - Raising Daughters: Sex, Body Image & Social Media 26:27 - Rapid Fire Q&A: Exercise, Confidence & Sex Toys 31:36 - Least Favorite Thing About Sex & Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Visit the webpage to join our growing communitywww.podpage.com/the-3-13-men-money-and-marriageCash App $a114johnsonSummaryThis episode explores the complex emotions behind falling out of love in marriage, addressing how to recognize, understand, and rekindle the relationship. Hosted by Andrew Johnson, it offers practical advice on communication, emotional connection, and seeking help.keywordsmarriage, falling out of love, relationship advice, emotional connection, communication, therapy, rekindling love, relationship challengesKey topicsThe nature of love and emotional connection in marriageSigns and causes of falling out of lovePractical strategies to rekindle love and intimacyThe importance of vulnerability and honest communicationWhen and how to seek professional help or therapyReignite Your Marriage: The 2-2-2 Rule for LoveFalling Out of Love? How to Rebuild Your Relationship"Love is a spark, but a marriage is a slow burn.""Writing a journal helps focus on positives and goals.""Seeking help from a professional can provide clarity."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Falling Out of Love02:24 Understanding the Spark vs. Slow Burn of Love05:03 Identifying Causes of Falling Out of Love07:26 The Importance of Vulnerability and Communication10:02 Reigniting the Flame in Relationships15:33 Seeking Help and Professional Guidance

This week is a little different: usually I'm the one asking the questions, but this time I'm on the other side. My friend Sophie had me on as the first guest to her new podcast, Late to the Party, where she interviewed me. This conversation ended up feeling surprisingly cathartic and was the most honest I've ever been while being recorded. She gave me a container to share and her genuine interest, thoughtful questions, and care gave me the confidence to open up about things I haven't. This episode fills in a lot of the story of what's been happening with not only me these last several years but also tells the full story of the podcast,  from beginning to the middle, I'm still in now. Sophie's show, Late To the Party is a perfect companion to this show, it's for anyone who feels a little behind in love, work, or life, or is growing into something new. It was an honor to be her first guest and listen to all the episodes she's aired since.   Show Notes / Resources / Mentions: Late to the Party Podcast Instagram @latetotheparty_pod Sophie Ragir @sophragir Find Katie: Katie's Substack | IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout | Zine shop is here! My Creative Clinic. Book Let It Out: A Journey Through Journaling   If you liked this episode, try this one from the archive: Sacha Jones returns to interview me for a special birthday episode

Send a textYou can do everything “right” on the job and still end up quietly falling apart at home. Part two with Nikki Mason gets real about what first responder mental health support actually needs to look like when the stakes are high and the window for help is small.We start with the hard conversation many departments avoid: how to get chiefs and administrators to back real treatment instead of rushing someone back after a few required days off. Nikki explains why a first responder agreeing to care is a rare moment worth protecting, and we talk about how the leadership case can be framed in human terms and in dollars and cents, including the true cost of losing a trained police officer, firefighter, paramedic, dispatcher, or correctional professional.Then we break down what a voluntary first responder treatment program can look like at Granite Recovery Centers' Rally Point program in New Hampshire: no locked doors, a supportive environment, daily groups, individual therapy, case management, medical support when needed, and recovery options that respect personal choice. We also dig into Granite's Enjoy Life campaign and why rebuilding connection, fun, and community is not fluff but a relapse prevention tool. If you have ever wondered whether “connection” is the missing piece for PTSD, depression, anxiety, or substance use recovery, this conversation gives you language and a path forward.To find Nikki Mason, please visit Granite Recovery Centers - Rally Point Program: Detox, residential, PHP/IOP with lodging up in scenic New Hampshire, all in network with insuranceAlso visit Open Sky - Crisis Intervention Training: 40 hour certificate training for law enforcement & first respondersIf this helped, subscribe, share it with someone on your shift, and leave a review so more first responders can find the support they deserve.DeemedFit: First Responder OwnedWe are a first responder owned company looking to get first responders in the best mental shape.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showYouTube Channel For The Podcast

Grief doesn't wait for loss to arrive. Sometimes it shows up early — sitting beside you while someone you love is still right there. That's anticipatory grief, and if you've ever felt your mind drift to a future without someone while they're still in the room, you already know it. In this episode of Joy Lab, Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek explore the Eighth Gate of Grief: the grief, stress, anxiety, and dread that can accompany an expected loss — whether that's a terminal diagnosis, a parent's cognitive decline, a marriage ending, or even broader fears about the world your kids will inherit. Anticipatory grief can be a mentally and emotionally exhausting experience, and it doesn't get nearly enough airtime in conversations about mental health. Importantly, this episode won't tell you how to stop anticipatory grief — because you shouldn't. Research suggests it can actually support healing. What it will give you: science-backed tools for staying present, a simple framework for saying what matters most before it's too late, and honest guidance on sustaining yourself through anticipatory grief. If anxiety, depression, or stress around future loss is weighing on you — or someone you love — this one's for you. This episode is part of a 10-part series on grief. You can jump in here and circle back to Episode 248 when you're ready.   p.s. Find a Simple Joy practice for this episode right here at our blog.   About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with the Joy Lab Program.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).   Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram TikTok Linkedin Watch on YouTube   Key moments: [00:00] — Introduction to the Eighth Gate: Anticipatory Grief [00:45] — What anticipatory grief is: the grief we feel in advance of an expected loss — terminal illness, dementia, a marriage ending, fears about the future of our planet or our children's world [01:00] — The extra "frosting" of this gate: dread, helplessness, and worry about what hasn't happened yet [01:15] — Anticipatory grief and cancer [02:30] — Anticipatory grief and Alzheimer's [04:00] — "We are apprentices to our grief, every time" — on never mastering grief, only practicing it [05:00] — FOBO: Fear Of Being Over — an earlier Joy Lab concept that connects to anticipatory grief and the pull away from the present moment [05:45] — Normalizing anticipatory grief: the goal is not to stop it, but to understand it [06:15] — The science: research on anticipatory grief shows it can actually be helpful — those who grieved some before a spouse died tended to have better outcomes afterward [07:30] — The void that often hits a month after a loss, when others return to their lives; how anticipatory grieving can build a support network that remains [08:00] — Anticipatory grief and early-onset Alzheimer's [13:45] — What anticipatory grief is really about: acceptance; facing truth instead of pushing it away [14:15] — Recognizing avoidance  [14:45] — Anticipatory grief as a gift: time to say what needs to be said, to be present differently, to love fully even while grieving [15:15] — Practicing loving fully amidst grief; being kind to yourself about grieving while the person is still present; holding both the grief of the future and the goodness of the present — they can happen at the same time [16:45] — The Four Things That Matter Most (Dr. Ira Byock, hospice physician): Please forgive me. I forgive you. Thank you. I love you. [17:15] — Why saying these things — even imperfectly — creates completion and reduces regret [19:15] — The gift anticipatory grief offers that sudden loss cannot: the chance to share grief with someone, say the four things, have the conversation together [20:00] — Tending to your own wellbeing during anticipatory grief; checking your energy and nourishment levels; you have to take breaks, let people help, do nourishing things for yourself — it's not selfish, it's sustainable [21:45] — Small ways to refuel: a walk, a phone call, sitting outside, noticing breath; don't wait until you're depleted — build it in now; Letting people support you; they often want to help but don't know how — be specific; "Can you bring dinner Tuesday? Can you sit with her while I go to the store?" [22:30] — Anticipatory grief is a marathon, not a sprint; pace yourself; stepping back to breathe and enjoy lightness is not denial — it's wisdom [23:30] — Closing quote from Rilke: "Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final."   Sources and Notes for this full grief series: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  Grief Series: The Grief Series: The Wholeness of Being Human [part 1, ep 248] Everything We Love, We Will Lose: Navigating the First Gate of Grief[part 2, ep 249] Welcoming Back the Parts of You That Have Not Known Love [part 3, ep 250] Why You Can't Escape the Sorrows of the World (and why that's a good thing) [part 4, ep 251] Born to Belong: Grieving What Should Have Been There From the Start [part 5, ep 252] Breaking the Cycle: Ancestral Grief, Epigenetics, and the Power to Change Your Legacy [part 6, ep 253] How Facing the Harm You've Done Can Set You Free [part 7, ep 254] How the World's Pain Enters Your Body and What to Do Next [part 8, ep 255] Related Episodes: Savoring the Present and Overcoming FOBO (it's kinda like FOMO...) [ep 45] Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller The Four Things That Matter Most by Ira Byock, M.D.  Beckes & Sbarra, Social baseline theory: State of the science and new directions. Access here Beckes, et al. (2011). Social Baseline Theory: The Role of Social Proximity in Emotion and Economy of Action. Access here Bunea et al. (2017). Early-life adversity and cortisol response to social stress: a meta-analysis. Access here. Eisma, et al. (2019). No pain, no gain: cross-lagged analyses of posttraumatic growth and anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress and prolonged grief symptoms after loss. Access here  Hirschberger G. (2018). Collective Trauma an d the Social Construction of Meaning. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 1441. Access here   Kamis, et al. (2024). Childhood maltreatment associated with adolescent peer networks: Withdrawal, avoidance, and fragmentation. Access here  Lehrner, et al. (2014). Maternal PTSD associates with greater glucocorticoid sensitivity in offspring of Holocaust survivors. Access here  Maier & Seligman. (2016). Learned helplessness at fifty: Insights from neuroscience. Access here Sheehy, et al. (2019). An examination of the relationship between shame, guilt and self-harm: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Access here  Strathearn, et al. (2020). Long-term Cognitive, Psychological, and Health Outcomes Associated With Child Abuse and Neglect. Access here  Yehuda et al. (1998). Vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder in adult offspring of Holocaust survivors.  Access here. Yehuda, et al. (2018). Intergenerational transmission of trauma effects: putative role of epigenetic mechanisms. Access here  Full transcript here  Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Welcome to another special episode of Wisdom Talk Radio! This is where we explore the depths of conscious living and how to live an expanded life. Join us to be inspired, encouraged, transformed and to tap into a deeper experience of joy and possibility. In today's episode I‘m reading from Unconditional Remembrance: Your Connection to Source, about shame, vulnerability, and true surrender.A feeling of shame impacts us deeply. It keeps us hidden, especially from ourselves. How can we step into our sovereignty? How do we surrender to the real relationship we can have with Source? Listen in…Find Laurie Seymour at https://thebacainstitute.com/ .Follow Wisdom Talk Radio on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wisdomtalkradioSubscribe on Apple.Want to reach out to me? You can email me directly at laurie@thebacainstitute.comIf you are enjoying our show and you'd like to spread the love, please subscribe, download, comment, and tell your friends and family about us. We want to thank you for your continued support. We really appreciate it! Find more episodes of Wisdom Talk Radio HERE Discover your Quantum Connection Style! (QUIZ)The first step to mastering your Quantum Connection is to know your natural style of being in the world.We are each designed to connect with Source differently. Knowing your style, with both your superpowers and your learning edge, is the first step of aligning with your inner guidance at a deeper level than you ever thought you could. It's the doorway to creating what you truly want in your life.Click here to take the quiz now: Quantum Connection QuizFind Laurie's new book, Unconditional Remembrance: Your Connection to Source HEREGet Laurie's New Book, Unconditional Remembrance: Your Connection to Source: https://mybook.to/UnconditionalRememSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wisdom-talk-radio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today's guest is one of the defining voices in modern pop — a songwriter, producer, and artist behind some of the biggest records of the last decade.His songs have been streamed billions of times worldwide.He came to Los Angeles to write for others.Instead, he became a globally identifiable artist — before fully becoming himself.Now, he's building something that's truly his.And The Writer Is… Charlie Puth!In this episode, Charlie opens up about:• His early journey• The moment “See You Again” came together, and why it still feels unexplainable• How early success shaped his career before his identity caught up• Why the best songs often come from discomfort, not control• The role of collaboration in pushing him beyond his instincts• Sessions with legendary artists — and what those moments actually feel like• The importance of staying human in an increasingly synthetic world• And much more…Hit the subscribe button and follow us on socials @andthewriterisEvery week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music.A special thank you to our sponsors…Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us.And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period.Chapters:0:00 Intro2:46 Charlie Demos the Theme Song5:00 The “Mouth Phone” Trick7:00 His Secret Involvement in Dangerous Woman9:00 “Stay” — The Power of Collaboration (Justin Bieber, Kid Laroi)13:00 “Are You Where You Want to Be?”16:00 Where His Best Work Comes From16:53 The Story of See You Again20:43 Wiz Khalifa's Defining 'See You Again' Moment23:02 When the Industry Didn't Know What to Do With Him27:22 The Song No One Believed In (We Don't Talk Anymore)29:52 Ross's Philosophy on Sending Music31:04 The Song That Changed Everything34:09 Authenticity, Vulnerability, and Letting People In39:00 Why It's More Important to Be Human Than Ever45:05 NMPA — Our Lead Sponsor This Season45:56 Splice46:38 Conflict, Collaboration, and Making the New Album51:11 Coffee With Kenny G and Michael McDonald55:39 Chris Stapleton's Songwriting Advice1:02:05 The Artists and Producers He Studies1:08:00 His Lowest Point1:31:51 Charlie Shares Drum SamplesHosted by Ross GolanProduced by Joe London & Jad SaadEdited by Jad SaadPost-Production VFX by Pratik KarkiWatercolor Art by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are so happy to have Dr. Elina Veytsman join us for this episode of the show! Dr. Elina Veytsman is a licensed psychologist and the Director of Training at the UCLA PEERS® Clinic, where she leads groups for neurodivergent youth and their caregivers while also training interns, postdocs, and professionals. She earned her Psychology degrees at UCLA and UC Riverside, researching developmental disabilities and transition experiences for youth and parents, and completed her doctoral internship providing therapy, parent training, and diagnostic assessment services. Since joining the UCLA PEERS® Clinic in 2014, she has delivered the PEERS® program in multiple settings and also provides individualized PEERS services through a private practice in Los Angeles. Dr. Elina Veytsman joins us to discuss how we help neurodivergent teens and young adults explore dating in ways that are both safe and authentic to who they are. We unpack the importance of supporting relationship development for neurodivergent youth without removing their agency or individuality, and we start off by unpacking a common misconception - that autistic or neurodivergent youth are not interested in romantic relationships. In reality, many deeply want connection but may not have been given clear, explicit guidance about the social patterns that others often learn more informally. Our conversation in this episode explores how dating skills are teachable rather than innate, and Dr. Veytsman explains that social skills such as reciprocal conversation, recognizing romantic interest, understanding boundaries, and processing rejection can be broken into concrete, observable steps. Much of the work that she discusses is grounded in research and sociological observation, with more than 75 scientific papers supporting PEERS® programming. This episode of the podcast also touches upon how social cognition, perspective-taking, and communication differences can affect dating experiences. Safety and vulnerability are also major themes that we talk about, and we discuss risks such as online exploitation, misreading friendliness as romantic interest, and the challenge of recognizing subtle social cues. Dr. Veytsman highlights that vulnerability often comes from inexperience rather than neurodivergence itself and that education about red flags, consent, and online behavior can be very protective! Our discussion also highlights the strengths-based philosophy behind PEERS®. Rather than changing identity or forcing conformity, the program focuses on expanding communication tools, building confidence, and supporting young people as they pursue relationships that feel meaningful to them. If you are a parent, clinician, or someone interested in how neurodivergent youth can approach dating with confidence and safety, then this episode is not one that you will want to miss! Show Notes: [2:44] - Dr. Veytsman explains how romantic skills often begin in adolescence, starting with friendship and learning conversation, boundaries, and recognizing shared interests. [5:24] - Dating challenges could include one-sided conversations, so the program first teaches reciprocal communication before introducing relationship-specific skills. [7:10] - Dr. Veytsman discusses how limited peer learning and social cue misunderstanding can increase vulnerability to online exploitation. [10:23] - Hear how perspective-taking and social cognition can be strengthened like a muscle with structured practice of social thinking and empathy skills. [12:20] - Early training in communication, risk awareness, and perception helps build meaningful relationships by improving social understanding and behavior awareness. [13:42] - Vulnerability often arises from limited experience; explicit education helps youth recognize manipulation, red flags, and online safety risks. [16:41] - The PEERS® program is a strengths-based, neurodiversity-respecting, and skill-building dating / social development program for neurodivergent youth! [17:11] - Preparation, coaching, and education help autistic youth build healthy relationships via learning consent, rejection, safety, and partner recognition. [19:21] - We learn that approximately 70% of participants involve parents learning to coach social skills while respecting individuals' goals. [22:52] - Hear how the program truly promotes neurodiversity, teaches social tools for connection, and encourages personal choice rather than masking. [25:16] - Dating education covers rejection, boundaries, consent, and flirting as observable, research-grounded behaviors. [27:59] - We further learn how flirting and interest are taught via low-risk signals such as eye contact, smiles, and reciprocal conversation exchanges. [30:44] - Hear why online profiles should present clear, positive, authentic information and use profile-specific messages to initiate meaningful contact. [33:13] - Caregivers can help reinforce skills with praise-based feedback, homework practice, and shared interest activities. [36:57] - Evidence shows that PEERS® improves dating behavior, confidence, social participation, and relationship skill use across research studies! [40:08] - How can Dr. Veytsman be contacted? Links and Related Resources: More Podcast Episodes Episode 43: Building Social Competence and Enhancing Social Skills with Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior - UCLA PEERS® Clinic   Connect with Dr. Elina Veytsman: Center for Pediatric Neuropsychology Email: eveytsman@pediatricneuropsych.com   Join Our Community: Substack

In the first of two interviews, Roxi Power talks with poet Elizabeth Robinson about Vulnerability Index, her 2026 poetry book charting her work with the unhoused population of Boulder, Colorado. Through multiple hybrid forms––confessions, parables, lists, and narratives that refuse resolution––Robinson's collaged fragments rearrange what Joan Retallack has called our “geometries of attention”upon the fractured lives of those members of society who often go unattended. The fascinating and beautiful characters Robinson helps and befriends become our friends too as we journey with her through the “casual cruelty” of the social services world with its impossible intake forms and hurdles to both heroic and tragicoutcomes.Elizabeth Robinson is the author of over 20 books, including, most recently Vulnerability Index, published in 2026by Curbstone Books of Northwestern University Press. Her poetry has earned the National Poetry Series for Pure Descent and the Fence Modern Poets Prize for Apprehend, among other recognitions. Robinson has taught at the University of San Francisco, Naropa University, and the Iowa Writers' Workshop.She is currently a senior pastor at Orinda Community Church in the Bay Area and teaches at Lighthouse Writers' Workshop. Robinson lives with her husband, poet Randy Prunty.https://www.elizabethrobinsonpoetry.com/abouthttps://nupress.northwestern.edu/9780810149205/vulnerability-index/

One of the biggest questions I get when it comes to showing up online is this: “How do I know if I'm being authentic… or if I'm oversharing?” Where is the line between vulnerability and trauma dumping? In this episode, I'm breaking down the balance between being raw and real while still protecting yourself and your credibility. Because here's the truth: Authenticity builds connection. But not everything belongs on the internet. I share how I built my brand by documenting my process of becoming — from recording podcast episodes in my car while broke and exhausted with two kids, to building a global personal brand and loyal audience. You'll learn how to share your story in a way that creates connection, trust, and authority without feeling like you're exposing every part of your life. This episode is for you if you're: • Scared of what people will think online • Worried you're sharing too much • Holding yourself back from being seen • Trying to build a personal brand or business • Learning how to tell your story with power Inside this episode we talk about: • The difference between sharing from a scar vs sharing from a wound • How to know if you're oversharing or actually not sharing enough • The storytelling method I call zooming in vs zooming out • Why perfection erodes connection • How vulnerability builds loyalty and community • The question you must ask before sharing anything online At the end of the day, your story is yours. And when you learn how to share it intentionally, it becomes one of the most powerful tools you have to connect, lead, and serve others. In This Episode • Authenticity vs oversharing • Building a personal brand online • Vulnerability and storytelling • Trauma dumping vs healed sharing • Personal branding and content creation • Confidence and showing up online Chapters 00:00:00 The Authenticity Strategy That Built My Brand 00:00:29 Welcome to the Confidence Chronicles 00:01:25 The Number One Question About Showing Up Online 00:03:13 When Fear Holds You Back From Being Seen 00:04:19 My Broke, Breastfeeding, Car Podcast Origin Story 00:06:51 When You Have Nothing Else But Your Story 00:07:57 The Loyal Cult-Like Following I Built Through Sharing 00:12:23 Document Your Process of Becoming 00:14:20 Getting Metaphorically Naked on the Internet 00:17:01 The Zoom Out Strategy for Professional Boundaries 00:22:08 The Scar vs The Wound: When to Share Your Story 00:25:49 Intent Is Everything When Sharing Vulnerability 00:30:11 Know Your Audience and What They Need to Hear 00:33:12 The More You Zoom In, The More They Come Closer 00:34:04 Being Imperfect Is Part of My Brand 00:34:42 Thank You for Letting Me Into Your World Connect With Erika

In this episode of the Man Within podcast, Sathya engages with Murray and Ash Smith from Catch the Fire Toronto to explore the themes of community, connection, and the challenges of loneliness in today's society. They share their personal journeys, the importance of kindness and openness in building relationships, and the dynamics of fostering community in a large city. The conversation delves into the significance of vulnerability, the role of personal responsibility in creating community, and the unique challenges faced by different genders in forming connections. The episode emphasizes the need for healing and self-awareness as foundational elements for meaningful relationships.  

Link to episode page This week's Department of Know is hosted by Rich Stroffolino with guests Jonathan Waldrop, CISO, Acoustic, and Chris Ray, Field CTO, GigaOm Thanks to our show sponsor, Adaptive Security This episode is brought to you by Adaptive Security, the first security awareness platform built to stop AI-powered social engineering. Deepfakes aren't science fiction anymore; they're a daily threat. Quick tip: if your voicemail greeting is your real voice, switch it to the default robot voice. A few seconds of audio can be enough to clone you. Adaptive helps teams spot and stop these AI-powered social engineering attacks. Learn more at adaptivesecurity.com. All links and the video of this episode can be found on CISO Series.com      

7. Cline addresses the vulnerability of the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations, which served as models for "what not to do" during a crisis. Despite their outward appearance of strength, these societies were fragile systems that collapsed completely after the 12th century BC. Their writing system, Linear B, was limited to accounting, leaving no literary records of their downfall. The transition to the Iron Age saw the disappearance of their specific social structures, though names of gods like Zeus and Poseidon endured. This period illustrates how societies can appear vibrant while being internally decayed, leading to a total replacement of their political identities. (7)

During difficult seasons, we often look for something steady—something that won’t shift beneath us when fear and uncertainty begin to rise. Scripture reminds us that God Himself is our firm foundation, the rock that holds us steady through every storm. His presence never wavers, and His peace never runs dry. Yet God, in His kindness, gives us another gift to help sustain us through life’s challenges: His people. The body of Christ is one of God’s most tangible expressions of care. Through fellow believers, God provides encouragement, prayer, wisdom, and comfort. Sometimes that support comes through a conversation, a message, a shared prayer, or simply someone willing to sit quietly beside us during a hard moment. The Apostle Paul understood the power of this gift. In Philippians 1:3-5, he expresses deep gratitude for the believers who partnered with him in the gospel. Their support strengthened him in his mission and reminded him that he was never alone in his calling. Many of us struggle to ask for help. Vulnerability can feel uncomfortable, and we often try to carry our burdens quietly. But God designed the church so that we would support one another. When we open our hearts and allow others to walk beside us, we experience the strength of a community bound together by Christ. And just as we receive encouragement from others, we are also called to extend that same care to those around us. Gratitude for God’s people naturally leads us to become a blessing ourselves—offering prayer, encouragement, and compassion whenever we can. When we pause to thank God for the people He places in our lives, we recognize that His provision often arrives through the hands and hearts of others. Main Takeaways God is our ultimate foundation and source of strength. The body of Christ is a tangible gift of encouragement and support. Asking for help allows others to serve as God’s hands and feet. Gratitude grows when we recognize how God works through His people. Believers are called to both receive and offer encouragement within the church. Today’s Bible Verse I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. - Philippians 1:3-5 Your Daily Prayer Prayer excerpt for listeners: “Thank You for the people You’ve placed in my life to encourage and strengthen me.” Listen to the full prayer here. To view the prayer in written format, visit the links below. Want More? Relevant Links & Resources Continue growing in faith and encouragement: LifeAudio.com – Christian podcasts and devotionals Crosswalk.com – Daily prayers, articles, and Bible study resources If you enjoyed this devotional, you may also appreciate Keri Eichberger’s book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, available on Amazon and major online retailers. This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.orgTrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

send us a text via Fan Mail!Our final segment in this mini-series, Dr. Deborah and I discuss what discipline is, understanding the developmental milestones of the child and viewing discipline in the context of connection, dignity and growth in maturity.00:53 - Giving a definition to discipline 4:05 - How do we learn our lessons?5:04 - Different perspectives and the root issue 6:15 - Does pain teach you?8:27 - Trust or fear based discipline 10:37 - Take the long view 12:23 - Vulnerability and dignity in relationship  16:42 - Emotional regulation programs, do they work?   22:31 - Big discipline issues and reclaiming the relationship 25:05 - When our caring is gone // taking care of ourselves  Dr. Deborah MacNamara (Website)As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers by Dr. Gordon Neufeld, Dr. Gabor MateRest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (Or Anyone Who Acts Like One) by Dr. Deborah MacNamaraNourished: Connection, Food and Caring for Our Kids (And Everyone Else We Love) by Dr. Deborah MacNamaraTry these titles on audiobook with Audible free trial here. if not carrot and stick, then WHAT (blog post)growing things (blog post) Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic www.bonnielandry.ca Shop my recommended resources Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

#thePOZcast is proudly brought to you by Fountain - the leading enterprise platform for workforce management. Our platform enables companies to support their frontline workers from job application to departure. Fountain elevates the hiring, management, and retention of frontline workers at scale. To learn more, please visit: https://www.fountain.com/?utm_source=shrm-2024&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=shrm-2024-podcast-adam-posner. Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com  Takeaways - Grief is a universal experience that transcends individual circumstances. - Love and connection are essential in navigating loss and grief. - Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness, especially for men. - Community support plays a crucial role in healing and resilience. - Awareness and open conversations about mental health can save lives. - The journey of grief can lead to profound personal growth and transformation. - Finding purpose in pain can create a legacy that honors lost loved ones. - It's important to recognize and address the signs of mental health struggles in others. - Creating safe spaces for dialogue about mental health is vital for youth. - The power of storytelling can foster connection and understanding in communities.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Grief and Purpose 01:14 Navigating Loss and Finding Grace 05:52 The Complexity of Grief 09:56 Living with Duality: Joy and Pain 12:49 The Role of Community in Healing 18:09 Faith and the Power of Connection 23:46 The Journey of Giving and Receiving 30:20 Creating a Legacy from Loss 32:58 Navigating Parenthood Through Adversity 40:51 The Birth of a Movement: Endurance 47:41 Sacred Transformation: Beyond Survival 50:30 Enduring with Love: Finding Strength in Vulnerability 56:31 Understanding the Signs: Preventing Tragedy 01:00:16 Messages of Hope: Honoring Anthony's Legacy      

In this deep-dive conversation, April Dinwoodie sits down with Sullivan Summer, an independent scholar, poet, and adoptee rights advocate, to unpack the layers of the adoption experience. From the "luck" narrative to the realities of transracial adoption, they explore how media and pop culture shape our understanding of family. Sullivan shares her work with Adoptees for Family Preservation and her own podcast, Adoption Pop!, highlighting why disrupting traditional narratives is essential for authentic storytelling and systemic change. Key Takeaways The "Luck" Complex: Why the concept of being "lucky" in adoption is a double-edged sword that often obscures the loss inherent in the experience. Media & Representation: How pop culture frequently misrepresents adoption, and how we can use those same tools to reclaim the narrative. Transracial Dynamics: Navigating the intersection of race, privilege, and marginalization within adoptive families. The Power of Community: Why adoptee-centered spaces are vital for support and advocacy. The Business of Adoption: Understanding adoption as a $25 billion industry and the implications for family preservation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Community Connection 01:09 Exploring the Myth of "Luck" in Adoption 09:14 The Realities of Transracial Adoption 20:10 Misconceptions and Media Representation 37:30 Introducing the Adoption Pop! Podcast 49:05 Authenticity and Vulnerability in Storytelling 58:31 Closing Lessons: The Importance of Listening About the Guest Sullivan Summer is a domestic, transracial adoptee and a leading voice in adoptee rights advocacy. She is an independent scholar, critic, essayist, and poet whose work has been featured in various literary and academic outlets. Sullivan serves as the President of Adoptees for Family Preservation, a nonprofit dedicated to adoptee-centered storytelling, and hosts the Adoption Pop! podcast. Her 2025 chapbook, Performance Anxiety, was published by Black Sunflowers Poetry Press. Connect with Sullivan: Website: sullivansummer.com Instagram: @thesullivansummer | @adoptionpoppodcast Substack: Sullivan Summer on Substack Podcast: Adoption Pop! Nonprofit: Adoptees for Family Preservation Podcast Credits Produced by: April Dinwoodie & Kyle Ferreira Engineered and Edited by: Kyle Ferreira Theme Music: Kevin Lowther (aka Big Lux)

In this insightful episode, host Ashish Kothari sits down with Eleanor Allen—a powerhouse leader who has navigated the peaks of the engineering world, led global social impact as the CEO of Water for People, and served as CEO of B Lab. Eleanor shares her "accidental" discovery of inner development and how moving from a rigid, "controlled" masculine leadership style to one of vulnerability and radical self-awareness transformed not just her life, but her global organization. This conversation is a must-listen for leaders who feel they must carry the world on their shoulders and are looking for a more sustainable, joyful, and high-performance way to lead.Main Topics CoveredThe Leader's Mirror: Why an organization's state of being is a direct reflection of its leader's personal flourishing.The Engineer's Armor: Eleanor's journey from a "got all the answers" professional upbringing to embracing vulnerability.Leading Through Crisis: How the lack of a "COVID playbook" forced a shift toward asking for help and experimenting.Head, Heart, and Plate: A simple, powerful meeting ritual to build connective tissue and psychological safety in teams.The Drama Triangle & Responsibility: Understanding your share of responsibility in workplace conflict.For-Profit vs. Non-Profit Flourishing: Common drivers and unique stressors (like the "philanthropy myth") in different sectors.The Flourishing Leader Summit: A preview of the upcoming Denver/Boulder intensive on April 29th.Key TakeawaysSelf-Care is Organizational Care: Leaders stuck in "survival mode" cannot create thriving ecosystems; your personal well-being is a strategic priority, not an indulgence.Vulnerability is a Catalyst: Admitting you don't have the answers during uncertain times invites the team to step up, innovate, and co-create solutions.Mattering and Appreciation: The universal need to feel valued is often the simplest and most effective lever for increasing engagement in any sector.Measure What Matters: Move beyond superficial "wellness perks" and start measuring root causes like absenteeism, financial stress, and psychological safety.The Power of Slower: Being "calmer" and more intentional in decision-making leads to better outcomes and more trusting team dynamics.

Welcome to the evolution of insider threat.

If you've been carrying the weight of your world — and maybe everyone else's — for so long that you don't even know what you're holding anymore, this episode is for you. This isn't about weakness. If you've been holding it all together, you're strong. But strength without release turns into pressure. And pressure builds. In this solo episode, Matt shares the truth most of us were never taught about vulnerability. The issue isn't that vulnerability makes us weak — it's that we were never taught: How to be vulnerable Who to be vulnerable with When to open up Vulnerability isn't telling everything to everyone. It's telling the right thing, to the right person, at the right time. Through his own breaking point in 2020, Matt shares how years of bottled-up pressure led to a powerful release — and ultimately, renewal. Not just relief. In this episode, you'll discover: Why emotional shutdown is often inherited How to make vulnerability feel safe, not exposing The power of one honest release How opening up reconnects you to yourself You're not behind. You're not broken. You're just unopened. And you don't have to carry it alone. WATCH ON YOUTUBE FOLLOW MATT ON INSTAGRAM BOOK YOUR FREE BRAND STRATEGY CALL

Outlouders, your usual Friday dose of Mamamia Out Loud will drop this afternoon but for now, here's a lil' treat from us to you. Enjoy. She’s 10 days on. She’s splitting her time and her heart between home and hospital, and she wants to share her story with you, Outlouders. Our beloved co-host Jessie Stephens gave birth to her boy-girl twins last week, earlier than hoped, and became a mum all over again. There will be so many of you who’ll relate to this story of terror-tinged joy, who will recognise the awe and exhaustion in Jessie’s voice, and who will want to send her so much love as she and her little family find their way through a new normal. Jessie’s rock, her twin sister Clare Stephens as well as Emily Vernem and Holly Wainwright are asking the questions:. How much time did she get “off” before the babies came? What was the first thing that happened when they did? How is Luna? How is Luca? Can she finally eat chocolate again? And how is she staying sane and hopeful? A very special episode. SUBSCRIBE here: Support independent women's media What To Listen To Next: Listen to our latest episode: Mia, Female Friendships & The '3-Word' Rule' Listen: A Reluctant Pregnancy Announcement On Live TV Listen: Mia's Diary Note: What I Didn't Expect About Being A Nana Listen: Beckham, Meghan & Jessie's Hospital Voice Note Listen: How To Talk To Absolutely Anyone Listen: Mia Enters The 'Working Mums' Chat Listen: Inside The Fight That Ended Kyle & Jackie O Listen: Love Story Part 2: Jackie O, The Kennedys & That Fight Scene Listen: Uninvited Princesses & The Dating Story We're Yearning For Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts Discover more Mamamia Podcasts here including the very latest episode of Parenting Out Loud, the parenting podcast for people who don't listen to... parenting podcasts. SUBSCRIBE here: Support independent women's media Watch Australia's #1 podcast, Mamamia Out Loud: Mamamia Out Loud on YouTube What to read: JESSIE STEPHENS: On being pregnant with twins. As a twin. With twin brothers. CLARE STEPHENS: 'I did everything to avoid a traumatic birth. Then I had one.' 'I was 3 days postpartum and holding my son. Then a nurse said 5 words that broke me.' 'I was home alone when I went into sudden labour. I'll never forget what happened 40 minutes later.' THE END BITS: Check out our merch at MamamiaOutLoud.com GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening. Send us an email at outloud@mamamia.com.au Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message. Join our Facebook group Mamamia Outlouders to talk about the show. Follow us on Instagram @mamamiaoutloud and on Tiktok @mamamiaoutloudBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the security news this week: The XZ backdoor documentary Zero days - the clock isn't ticking Vulnerability Mis-Management Reversing traffic light controllers Reversing with Claude Don't curl to bash! Reading CVEs makes my head hurt Dumping browser secrets I open-sourced a new(ish) tool D-LINK exploits There is no password I control the building When old vulnerabilities become new Tile is for stalkers Hacking AI Iran War: What cybersecurity needs to know National cyber strategy Coruna I got phished and I want a refund Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/psw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/psw-917

Confidence isn't just mindset crap. It affects your pricing, your messaging, your sales conversations and your boundaries. And ultimately - whether your retreat fills or flops. In this episode, Shannon is joined by leadership expert, sales strategist, and bestselling author Nathan Jamail (she is biased, but he is pretty damn amazing) to unpack the real reason many retreat leaders struggle to sell out their events: lack of business confidence. They discuss: Imposter syndrome in the retreat industry Underpricing rooted in insecurity Overexplaining instead of leading What confident messaging actually sounds like How to build real, earned business confidence They also share that this episode was recorded in their new studio space in Austin - and you can now watch the full conversation on YouTube. If you've ever doubted yourself while launching a retreat, this episode will challenge and strengthen you. What You'll Learn Why confidence directly impacts conversions The hidden cost of underpricing How retreat leaders accidentally repel buyers The difference between loud marketing and confident leadership The discipline required to build real business confidence Key Takeaways Imposter syndrome doesn't disappear - it's managed through action. Underpricing signals insecurity to your audience. Overexplaining weakens authority. Confident leaders make clear decisions and stand by them. Confidence is built through preparation, skill, and repetition - not affirmations alone. Watch on YouTube This episode was recorded in our new studio space in Austin - go watch the full conversation on YouTube. Learn more about Nathan Jamail: https://nathanjamail.com/ Join Nathan and Shannon at the Forum: https://luxuryinbusinessretreats.mykajabi.com/retreat-industry-forum  Subscribe here:  The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links: Learn to Host Retreats Join our private Facebook Group Top 5 Marketing Tools Free Guide Get your legal docs for retreats Join Shannon in Denver at the Retreat Industry Forum  Join our LinkedIn Group Apply to be a guest on our show   Thanks for tuning into the Retreat Leaders Podcast. Remember to subscribe for more insightful episodes, and visit our website for additional resources. Let's create a vibrant retreat community together! Subscribe:  Apple Podcast | Google Podcast | Spotify ------ TIMESTAMPS Podcast Introduction and Studio Setup (00:00:02) Shannon introduces the podcast, new studio setup, and her guest, Nathan, her husband. The Importance of Confidence for Retreat Leaders (00:02:09) Shannon highlights Nathan's confidence and introduces confidence as a key topic for retreat leaders. Confidence vs. Arrogance and Childhood Story (00:03:22) Nathan shares a story about their daughter and explains the difference between confidence and arrogance. Imposter Syndrome and Taking Action Afraid (00:05:33) Discussion about imposter syndrome, acting confident, and the importance of taking action despite fear. How Confidence Impacts Marketing and Messaging (00:06:31) Shannon explains how confidence (or lack thereof) affects marketing, pricing, and messaging for retreat leaders. Belief in Yourself and Authenticity (00:07:01) Nathan and Shannon discuss the need to believe in yourself first and the role of authenticity in confidence. Stage Fright and "Doing It Anyway" (00:09:18) Nathan admits to still feeling nervous before speaking, and Shannon encourages action despite nerves. Personal Example: London Workshop Doubts (00:10:14) Shannon shares her experience with self-doubt before hosting an international workshop and how she overcame it. Hospitality, Impact, and the Human Touch (00:11:55) Nathan discusses the difference between service and hospitality, and the unique impact of human connection. AI, Connection, and the Future of Retreats (00:12:52) They discuss how AI can't replace human connection, making retreats more valuable in the digital age. Example: AI Dating at Bars and the Need for Real Connection (00:16:07) Shannon and Nathan talk about people dating AI at bars, emphasizing the growing need for real-life connection. Projecting Confidence and Sales Conversations (00:17:13) They discuss how lack of confidence is projected in sales and the importance of confidently presenting value. Vulnerability, Mistakes, and Being Confidently Wrong (00:18:18) Nathan explains that vulnerability increases confidence and that it's okay to be wrong—just be confidently wrong. Learning from Mistakes and Seeking Knowledge (00:19:42) Shannon and Nathan discuss learning from mistakes, attending events, and the value of learning from others. The Power of Learning, Confidence, and Motivation (00:23:44) Nathan shares a formula: learning increases confidence, which boosts motivation, using events and yoga as examples. Closing and Call to Action (00:25:01) Shannon wraps up, encourages listeners to attend events, and thanks Nathan for joining the episode.  

This week Canopy Staff - Bryan, Shayla, and Michelle-- sit down to have a conversation on Bills teaching on Shame, Hiding and the False Self. They reflect on what it means to name emotions, embrace vulnerability, and return to remembering what God has done.

In the security news this week: The XZ backdoor documentary Zero days - the clock isn't ticking Vulnerability Mis-Management Reversing traffic light controllers Reversing with Claude Don't curl to bash! Reading CVEs makes my head hurt Dumping browser secrets I open-sourced a new(ish) tool D-LINK exploits There is no password I control the building When old vulnerabilities become new Tile is for stalkers Hacking AI Iran War: What cybersecurity needs to know National cyber strategy Coruna I got phished and I want a refund Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/psw-917

What if the healing you are searching for is not outside of you, but already within you?In this episode of Groove with Portia, I welcome Christianna Carr, author of Begin Within, spiritual psychotherapist, and founder of Begin Within Gifts, Books, and Healing Services. Our conversation centers around personal healing, creative expression, and the courage it takes to tell your story.Christianna shares how the phrase “begin within” became the foundation of her life's work after attending a conference in 2010. What started as a journaling practice evolved into poetry, business ownership, and a trauma informed approach to healing.We discuss:• How journaling supports trauma recovery• Processing grief and abuse through poetry• The importance of safe spaces for storytelling• Inner child healing and play as adults• Navigating relationship challenges and worthiness• Vulnerability and societal perceptions of strength• Why healing does not require proving anything to anyoneChristianna speaks openly about how writing became a tool for maintaining clarity and sanity during difficult seasons. She reminds us that much of healing happens when our story is witnessed without judgment.This episode is for anyone navigating emotional abuse recovery, spiritual growth, creative healing practices, and trauma informed self discovery.Tune in to hear why all healing begins within and how your story has the power to ripple outward into community.Connect with Christianna: https://www.facebook.com/chrissiecarr

In the security news this week: The XZ backdoor documentary Zero days - the clock isn't ticking Vulnerability Mis-Management Reversing traffic light controllers Reversing with Claude Don't curl to bash! Reading CVEs makes my head hurt Dumping browser secrets I open-sourced a new(ish) tool D-LINK exploits There is no password I control the building When old vulnerabilities become new Tile is for stalkers Hacking AI Iran War: What cybersecurity needs to know National cyber strategy Coruna I got phished and I want a refund Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/psw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/psw-917

This episode covers the latest in cybersecurity, AI vulnerabilities, government system security, and the importance of human validation in AI-driven security tools. Ryan, Shannon, and Chris discuss recent breaches, AI safety, and strategic government initiatives. Article: OpenAI Codex Security Scanned 1.2 Million Commits and Found 10,561 High-Severity Issues https://thehackernews.com/2026/03/openai-codex-security-scanned-12.html FBI investigating ‘suspicious' cyber activity on system holding sensitive surveillance information https://federalnewsnetwork.com/cybersecurity/2026/03/fbi-investigating-suspicious-cyber-activity-on-system-holding-sensitive-surveillance-information/ President Trump's CYBER STRATEGY for America https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/president-trumps-cyber-strategy-for-america.pdf Buy the guide: https://www.theothersideofthefirewall.com/ Please LISTEN

In this episode, Sathiya Sam explores the unique challenges high-performing men face when trying to quit pornography. He discusses how high performance can mask underlying issues, the role of self-control, and how pornography serves as a coping mechanism. Sathiya emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, effective systems for recovery, and addressing childhood patterns to achieve lasting freedom from addiction.  

Do you view vulnerability as a weakness or a courageous act of leadership? Coach Matt explores why many high achievers struggle with hyper-independence and the "stoic rock" persona, often using alcohol as a buffer to navigate social edges. Discover the neuroscience of what happens when you remove that "padding", from the recalibration of your anterior insula to the vivid return of body awareness. This episode provides a framework for reframing vulnerability as a competitive advantage, helping you move from "numbing and escaping" to "feeling and responding." Learn how to find your own pace in an alcohol-free journey and why the bravest thing you can do is show up without a guarantee of the outcome.   Download my FREE guide: The Alcohol Freedom Formula For Over 30s Entrepreneurs & High Performers: https://social.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/podcast ★ - Learn more about Project 90: www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/Project90 ★ - (Accountability & Support) Speak verbally to a certified Alcohol-Free Lifestyle coach to see if, or how, we could support you having a better relationship with alcohol: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/schedule ★ - The wait is over – My new book "CLEAR" is now available. Get your copy here: https://www.alcoholfreelifestyle.com/clear

Welcome to the Contacts Coaching podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Mike Luevano, host, and founder of the Between the Shots Show. Mike shares his extensive background in education, development work, and his latest venture that combines golf with deep, meaningful conversations about life, vulnerability, and masculinity. From his upbringing in San Jose to his work with nonprofit organizations and his passion for sports, Mike provides valuable insights into building relationships, personal growth, and the importance of open dialogue. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on how to navigate life's challenges and the transformative power of real, heartfelt conversations.00:00 Introduction and Guest Background01:13 Mike's Early Life and Career03:09 Nonprofit Work and Development05:35 Fundraising Strategies and Community Involvement12:55 The Concept of 'Between the Shots'24:07 A Lifestyle Show with Purpose24:26 Fatherhood and Legacy25:31 The Importance of Vulnerability28:24 Creating Safe Spaces for Open Conversations30:55 Personal Growth and Self-Reflection37:07 Setting and Achieving Goals40:38 Building and Maintaining Relationships45:08 Conclusion and Future Plans

When a couple can meet each other with non-judgmental empathy, it draws you closer to each other. Nobody is shamed, questioned or put down and it leads to a deeper intimacy.This is the power of mutual vulnerability and it's one of the bedrocks of a healthy marriage (and sex life).But most people don't do a very good job at it! (which makes sense- who taught us how???)In today's podcast episode, my husband and I explored this topic, sharing what we were taught about vulnerability, offering a role-play of what to do (and not to do), and practical tips on responding to vulnerability effectively.If you thought new sex positions were the key to hot sex, think again! Mutual vulnerability leads to safety and you can't get sexier than safety!I hope you enjoy this feel-good episode

Grief doesn't only come from what happens to us directly. In this episode of our Grief Series, we'll look through the Seventh Gate: Trauma — specifically collective trauma and secondary (vicarious) trauma. We'll break down what these are, how they physically land in your body, what the Window of Tolerance really means for your day-to-day life, and what to do when you find yourself overwhelmed by stress. We'll explore super helpful theories like the tend-and-befriend stress response, the power of your hope circuit, the eternal wisdom of finding the Middle Way, and practical guidance for navigating a world that can feel relentlessly heavy. This episode is part of a 10-part series on grief. You can jump in here and circle back to Episode 248 when you're ready.   p.s. Find a Simple Joy practice for this episode right here at our blog.   About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with the Joy Lab Program.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).   Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram TikTok Linkedin Watch on YouTube   Key moments: [00:00] — Introduce the Seventh Gate: Trauma [00:48] — A gentle reminder to listen with care [01:30] — Defining collective trauma: shared psychological impact affecting communities, societies, and the globe; examples include COVID, 9/11, mass shootings, natural disasters, and chronic collective traumas like racism and classism [02:00] — Defining secondary trauma / vicarious trauma: how negative effects occur through hearing accounts, watching videos, 24/7 news exposure; not uncommon in caregivers, healthcare workers, therapists, and first responders [03:30] — Why the brain doesn't always distinguish direct from indirect trauma; secondary trauma can produce symptoms identical to direct trauma; we are wired to survive in communities [04:00] — The losses this gate surfaces: safety, trust in institutions, community connection, shared understanding, and moral injuries [05:00] — Linda Thai's definition of trauma: "what happened that shouldn't have, and what should have happened that didn't" — and why the second half matters just as much [06:30] — Minnesota ICE surge reflection; what was missing that could have softened the trauma; community connection as a powerfully protective presence [07:45] — The tend-and-befriend stress response and why it's especially suited to collective grief [08:40] — Physical symptoms of collective trauma: brain fog, sleep problems, appetite changes, jumpiness, physical tension, digestive issues [09:20] — How collective stress lowers individual stress tolerance; why the tend-and-befriend response is so adaptive here [09:50] — Dan Siegel's Window of Tolerance introduced: the zone for healthy stress response; why collective trauma shrinks the window [10:20] — What happens outside the window: hyperarousal and hypoarousal introduced [11:00] — Deep dive on hyperarousal: panic, racing thoughts, anger, hypervigilance; why narrow focus is counterproductive; how sustained overactivation overwhelms the nervous system [13:00] — Hypoarousal: numbness, flatness, disconnection, apathy, brain fog; the freeze/"bite" stress response as protective feature, not personal failure; the COVID grocery bag arc [14:30] — Gentle activation strategies for moving out of hypoarousal: small movements, mindful breathing, connecting with safe people, small accomplishments [15:30] — Learned helplessness reexamined: the original researchers got it backward — helplessness is the brain's default, not something learned [16:00] — The Hope Circuit: prefrontal cortex overrides the helplessness default when actions are seen to matter; cross-stressor effect of agency [16:40] — What agency looks like in practice: self-talk, social connections, information choices, body care, small service acts, values [17:30] — Henry's activating-to-calming spectrum; using the Middle Way framework to self-regulate within the Window of Tolerance [18:30] — What to do when you've gone outside the window: micro-changes, one small choice at a time; deep rest when needed [20:10] — Balance is not a destination; the goal is not to eliminate stress responses but to navigate them more skillfully [21:15] — Self-care during collective trauma enables wise collective action [21:45] — Closing wisdom from Clarissa Pinkola Estés on standing up and showing your soul   Sources and Notes for this full grief series: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  Grief Series: The Grief Series: The Wholeness of Being Human [part 1, ep 248] Everything We Love, We Will Lose: Navigating the First Gate of Grief[part 2, ep 249] Welcoming Back the Parts of You That Have Not Known Love [part 3, ep 250] Why You Can't Escape the Sorrows of the World (and why that's a good thing) [part 4, ep 251] Born to Belong: Grieving What Should Have Been There From the Start [part 5, ep 252] Breaking the Cycle: Ancestral Grief, Epigenetics, and the Power to Change Your Legacy [part 6, ep 253] How Facing the Harm You've Done Can Set You Free [part 7, ep 254] Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller Linda Thai's website Dan Siegel's website Clarissa Pinkola Estés' website Beckes & Sbarra, Social baseline theory: State of the science and new directions. Access here Beckes, et al. (2011). Social Baseline Theory: The Role of Social Proximity in Emotion and Economy of Action. Access here Bunea et al. (2017). Early-life adversity and cortisol response to social stress: a meta-analysis. Access here. Eisma, et al. (2019). No pain, no gain: cross-lagged analyses of posttraumatic growth and anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress and prolonged grief symptoms after loss. Access here  Hirschberger G. (2018). Collective Trauma an d the Social Construction of Meaning. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 1441. Access here   Kamis, et al. (2024). Childhood maltreatment associated with adolescent peer networks: Withdrawal, avoidance, and fragmentation. Access here  Lehrner, et al. (2014). Maternal PTSD associates with greater glucocorticoid sensitivity in offspring of Holocaust survivors. Access here  Maier & Seligman. (2016). Learned helplessness at fifty: Insights from neuroscience. Access here Sheehy, et al. (2019). An examination of the relationship between shame, guilt and self-harm: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Access here  Strathearn, et al. (2020). Long-term Cognitive, Psychological, and Health Outcomes Associated With Child Abuse and Neglect. Access here  Yehuda et al. (1998). Vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder in adult offspring of Holocaust survivors.  Access here. Yehuda, et al. (2018). Intergenerational transmission of trauma effects: putative role of epigenetic mechanisms. Access here    Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Ok, are y'all ready for some COMIC RELIEF?!!Come hear about my Korean Body Scrub experience and how it reminded me of the lessons I've learned about perimenopause……the importance of embracing vulnerability, letting go of control, and practicing self-compassion as key elements in navigating this journey. Topics covered:00:00 Introduction to Vulnerability in Menopause01:58 The Korean Body Scrub Experience19:06 Lessons from the Body Scrub: Embracing Change26:52 Five Key Takeaways for Navigating MenopauseKey Takeaways:Vulnerability is essential for thriving during menopause.Embrace the unexpected changes that come with perimenopause.Self-compassion is crucial as you navigate these changes.There is a brighter side to the struggles of menopause.#vulnerability #bodypositivity  #MenopauseWellness #Innerwork #Resilience #SelfAwareness #Gratitude #Menopause #Midlife #PrioritizeYOU #Caregiving #SelfAdvocacy #MenopauseMoguls #hotflashes #Changeyourresponse  #Perimenopause #BusinessEmpowerment  #OvercomingChallenges #WomenEmpowerment  #blackwomeninbusiness #wellnesscoaching #businesscoaching  #entrepreneurship #womenentrepreneurs #midlifeblackwomen #over40women #over50womenPlease Leave a 5-star Review  & Share!!And don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you can catch the next episode! 

In this conversation, Kiara Loucks shares her profound experiences during a health crisis that taught her the significance of community and support. She reflects on a moment of vulnerability when she had to rely on her husband for help and the intimate experience they shared before her surgery. Kiara emphasizes the importance of allowing others to be there for us in times of need and how such situations can strengthen relationships and foster personal growth. Outdoor retreats: heroutdorjourney.com Kiara on Instagram @kiara.loucks Takeaways Other people need to be in our lives sometimes. Facing health crises can reveal the strength of our relationships. Intimacy can be found in shared vulnerable moments. It’s okay to lean on others during tough times. Support from loved ones can be a source of strength. Crisis situations can deepen our connections with others. Prayer and faith can provide comfort in uncertainty. Allowing help can be a sign of strength, not weakness. People often want to step up and help when we need it. Vulnerability can lead to personal growth and understanding. Disclaimer: Links may contain affiliate links, which means we may get paid a commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase through this page. Read our full disclosure here. Watch on YouTube Show Transcript Cheryl McColgan (00:00)Hey everyone, I’m Cheryl McColgan, founder of Carol Nourish Grow, and today I’m joined by Kiara Lux. Kiara and I met this year when I competed in the fit model competition in Kentucky and she had the same coach that I did and ended up doing the same show. And I just immediately loved this woman. So what I learned. about her journey and her health stuff I had to have her on. anyway, Kiara, welcome. If you could ⁓ just tell everyone a little bit about who you are and then we’ll get into some of your health journey. Because I think it’s really interesting and I think there’s a lot of things there that will help a lot of people. Kiara Loucks (00:35)Absolutely. First off, thank you so much for having me. I’m so honored to be here. My take on our meeting is very similar. I just fell in love with you from the second you texted me asking if I wanted sourdough. We had never met. You brought me sourdough. I was like, I don’t know her, but I love her. So yeah, I’ve had quite a wild journey. Health and fitness have been at the center of my journey. Cheryl McColgan (00:43)you Kiara Loucks (00:57)Really since I was young, I’ve been an athlete my whole life in different sports that have taken me all over the world and brought wonderful people like yourself into my life. Outside of professional athletics, I work in tech on my, like my nine to five, I work on Wall Street in paid media. And then I actually am now running an organization on the other side of that. with all of the spare time called her outdoor journey, which is really focused on bridging the gap for women and families in the back country. So whether it’s survival, holistic wellness, it’s really this concept of community and education to get women and families outside, which is now actually evolving into co-ed opportunities. So in a very, very high level nutshell, that is me. My fitness journey was, I’m sure we’ll dive into it, but. I don’t think you knew this, but I’m actually over 100 pounds down from my heaviest, so that was 11 years ago. Just, think, like most people, kind of gave up and had always wanted to compete, but it was a pipe dream that never had any real legs to it until it did. So really excited to dive in with you, and I’m just excited to be able to chat with you. You’re one of my favorite people. Cheryl McColgan (02:04)I know it’s been I wanted to catch up for so long. And we just like you’ve been traveling so much and doing really exciting work with the project that you mentioned, and we’ll get into that. But before we go into all that, and we go into the weight loss thing, because that is definitely a subject that people are on this podcast are interested in. But I have to have you tell people, you to kind of just glossed over that whole professional athlete thing, tell people what you what your sport is, because I think it’s so wild. Kiara Loucks (02:07)I know. Yeah, so I’m kind of in this purgatory season right now, so not actually professionally competing in anything, but I’ve been a professional rower. I’ve been a professional bobsledder for the US and Canada. I’ve been a bodybuilder, Olympic weightlifter. We’ve been all over the map. Yeah, and I’m kind of getting back into the endurance side of things right now. I’m not done with bodybuilding or Cheryl McColgan (02:43)That’s the one. Kiara Loucks (02:54)Bodybuilding isn’t done with me yet, but we’re on a little hiatus. As you know, it kind of takes over your whole life. And I’ve lived a season for the last decade where sports is my whole life. So I’m kind of just turning my brain on for a little bit and creating and doing other things. Cheryl McColgan (03:08)Yeah, and I think that’s, it’s an interesting mindset being an athlete for most of your whole life. So you said though, at some point you kind of gave up, can you share a little bit more about that? Was there an injury? Was there something that happened in your life where things just shifted for you? And how did that go? And then how did you get back to where you are now? Kiara Loucks (03:19)Thank you. Yeah, great question. You seem like the type that’s okay to go kind of deep and heavy off the rip because that’s just life. So I had actually signed a scholarship agreement with UC Santa Barbara to play softball ⁓ once I graduated high school. And my senior year in high school, I both broke my back quite literally to vertebrae on my back in a terrible sledding accident. And then I also endured a sexual assault. So I was raped my senior year in high school. And those two, I think combined, just put me in a place I didn’t know how to cope. And so I learned growing up that food is comfort. And when we hurt, we self-soothe. And I didn’t have the tools in my toolkit to do that in a healthy way. So I started partying a lot, started eating a lot. And honestly, by the grace of God, I walked onto campus to try to rush for a sorority. I missed. I missed rush, but I had walked by the rowing recruiter tent. And some young gal shouted at me. She was like, Hey, you have really big legs. Would you want to row? And I was like, simultaneously so offended and so flattered. I was like, let’s try it. And that opened this new avenue we’ve been on for the last decade. But prior to that, I just like, like I said, I had given up and food was really my reprieve. from life. Cheryl McColgan (04:47)And I think a lot of people will be able to relate to that. And I’m so sorry that you had to go through that experience. Although often some of the great tragedies in our life really end up shaping who we are. And I think that that is definitely one of the reasons that’s contributed to you, you know, being so successful and being able to overcome all that. So, but anyway, definitely a heavy subject and thank you for being willing to share that with people. So after all that happened, you wrote in college and then let’s fast forward to like just Kiara Loucks (04:59)Delicious. Agreed. Mm-hmm. Cheryl McColgan (05:16)before we met because you had some pretty crazy health things and things happening in your life right before you decided to compete. So I’d love it if you’d kind of share that journey. Kiara Loucks (05:27)Yeah, so like I alluded to bodybuilding was a dream of mine for the last 12 years like I saw someone do it and thought it was the coolest thing and Never thought it was a realistic opportunity for me and then fast-forward lots of things changed and Decided actually a year ago that I was gonna get into bodybuilding and got into it locally it went swimmingly like I just Found a lot of success very quickly But in an extremely unhealthy way working with a coach which bodybuilding is wrought with coaches who went pro and then think that they have the license to dictate someone else’s health. So went down that rabbit hole came out of we did four shows back to back to back to back. We blitzed last fall and did really well coming into the offseason after my last show in November of last year. Cheryl McColgan (06:12)a lot. Kiara Loucks (06:20)I was following my reverse diet to a T and was putting on weight extremely rapidly and Not only was it a mental Battle it was also physically feeling out of control of my body and on top of that I started bleeding Like non-stop started presenting pregnancy symptoms had no idea what was happening in my body had just kind of taken on its own life And so it was controlling all that I could At first they thought I had cervical cancer and so we went kind of through some rounds of testing for that and then coming back in January This was like a three-month saga coming back in January found out I was pregnant and Then they thought I was having a miscarriage because I was bleeding the entire time. So I was extremely anemic I was just exhausted. I couldn’t really do much and I Would not give up training like that was the only thing I really had was just training and trying to be present for the holidays and so After they thought I had a miscarriage, my HCG levels, which are the hormones present when you are pregnant, were actually going back up. And so it was end of January, or this year, that they found out I had an egg-topic pregnancy growing in my left ovary. And we were early enough that they had attempted to treat it with chemotherapy. So methotrexate is a chemotherapy procedure that they typically will try. before they go to surgery as an intervention in order to try to get the cells to kind of reabsorb into the body. It stops everything from turning over, which my goober brain decided to still train, still try to move through all of it, even if that was just walking on the treadmill for most days. So was extremely humbling. But through that, I had one round of chemo, which was just hell for lack of a better term. and then it ended up rupturing anyway. So by rupture, I mean I was internally bleeding, had come up with a fever in the midst of all of the chemo symptoms. So for those out there who are not privy to what that looks like, your body feels like it’s on fire. I couldn’t smile, I couldn’t chew, I couldn’t laugh, I couldn’t cry. Everything from my head to my neck to my back would just seize. And so in the midst of that, I popped a fever. We went in and as we were walking into the ER, I was rupturing. And so they opened the OR middle of the night and had a surgical intervention for that. And then me being me, I needed something on the calendar. Maybe not the best way to cope, we’re learning, but I’ve always been someone that when I have something to shoot for, the in-between between here and there doesn’t really matter. We have a goal, we’re working towards something, we’re progressing, we’re… Controlling our environment for lack of better term as well. So put a show on the calendar and decided to find a new coach because like I mentioned, my previous coach was not health conscious at all. And so I found Adam who’s just a godsend and was able to actually reverse some of my endometriosis symptoms, certain things through protocol with supplementation and food. It was a miracle and we started prep while I still had chemo in my system. We were like hitting the ground running, let’s go. And that was beginning of February, March timeframe. And then we walked into the show that you and I met at, which was in Louisville. went well, not as well as I’d hoped, but it’s okay. It was still a blast and I met you. And then we did two shows right after that in Las Vegas and then in Chattanooga, Tennessee. So. Cheryl McColgan (09:57)and she’s leaving out that she won one of those shows, which I was not surprised because seeing you in person and now knowing everything that you went through leading up to that, mean, the amount of muscle that you have. Kiara Loucks (09:59)We did bring home Miss Nevada this year. I was very excited about that. Cheryl McColgan (10:17)is a testament to, I think something that people kind of lose sight of sometimes is that your muscle is a metabolic sink for a lot of things that it helps control your blood sugar. helps. It helps you survive times like what you went through. And I’m convinced that’s one reason my dad did so well with his cancer treatments over the years is because he was always really muscular. He was like Jack Lillane, basically my dad, he was like into that way before anyone else. So he’s never like huge, but he always was very concerned. He always lifted. And so I would say, you know, do you feel like both your mentality as someone that was into fitness helped you as well as the fact that you were already in such good shape to start with? Because I think you just, the outcomes are so much better if you have some muscle. Kiara Loucks (10:59)Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah, I think twofold. The physical side of it, there’s research to support that muscle mass is an indicator of longevity and it’s also the best way to push off atrophy in the body as we age. So knowing that no matter what sport you’re doing, having lean muscle mass is going to always be a benefit. That’s kind of the first part and it allows your body to bounce back really quickly. Like you’re a lot more resistant to… whatever life throws at you, whether it’s disease or acute injury. And so that’s kind of the first side. And then the second side is the mental side. So when I, know, as someone who’s been an athlete my whole life was told I can’t do anything, let alone like I can’t even walk on a treadmill. Mentally, I just crumbled. But then you realize and you’ll get this too, no matter what sport you do, or just lifting in general for people that just go to the gym to stay healthy. It’s not easy and it hurts. Like you are training your body to deal with things that hurt knowing full well that you’re going to be better for it. And I think that was the privilege walking into my health situation last year was that mentality that I’m going to make it through this. It sucks and it really hurts. It’s not going to last forever. I guarantee it. And I’m going to be better on the other side of it, whether that’s mentally, emotionally, spiritually, or all of the above. We’re going to be OK. Cheryl McColgan (12:26)And how so how did you get from the point? Where I mean, to me, like putting something like that on the books is just. unbelievable. And then to see the shape that you showed up in, I mean, it was just unbelievable. So can you talk about your mental state during that time a little bit? Because I think there’s, you know, whether people are an athlete or not, I think there’s always something to be learned with mindset. And I think the more that you can share about maybe that part of that and how you, you know, seemingly made it through to the other side. I mean, nobody’s saying everything’s perfect all the time, but you still move through Kiara Loucks (12:39)Thank you. Thank you. Cheryl McColgan (13:04)life, you created these amazing goals, you are still working all this time. Talk a little bit about your mindset and how you, how do you overcome that hurdle like once you were on the chemo and doing all this really crazy health stuff. Kiara Loucks (13:17)That is such a good question. Yeah, I think when life really kicks her teeth in, it’s usually there to teach us something. And I hate to be the person that’s like, it always happens for a reason, because it doesn’t always. But being able to take a really poopy situation and make meaning of it and find that meaning while you’re walking through it is really the best way to endure it. So for me, I’ve always been an incredibly independent woman. I don’t need anyone. I don’t need help. and I never ask for help. And so my husband had just gotten out of the army. So we’re actually one year free as of two days ago on Veterans Day. And when he came back, we actually had a really hard time because I had kind of established this life where he was more of an accessory than a need. And I didn’t have an issue with that. In fact, when he got home, I reminded him that I didn’t need him. I want him. And know, like all of these pieces that I think the intention was pure, but this chapter, the health chapter we’re talking about really taught me that other people need to be needed in our lives sometimes. And allowing space for that, I didn’t have an option. So there was literally a week where my husband had to help me go to the bathroom. And I still remember when we were in the OR. We didn’t know we were going to go into surgery when we went into the ER and they basically threw a pack of ammonia wipes at us as they’re opening the OR because it was like you can die relatively quickly from internal bleeding. And so they threw this bag of ammonia wipes at us and it was such an intimate moment where they were like, all right, wipe yourself down like we’re going to go open the OR. We’ll be back. And my husband and I both took a wipe and we just started cleaning things off. like prepping for surgery. And I’m standing there like, I know you’re not a believer, but I’m just gonna pray over us and the situation and where we’re going. And that whole evolution taught me it’s okay to need other people. And people in our lives are often eager for those situations where they can step up for us when we’re the ones typically stepping up for everyone else. So mentally, it allowed a lot of intimate. relationships to just flourish in my life, both my husband, my family, who all stepped in for me. And through that, it was like this mental battle to be okay not being okay on a daily basis. And then as we put the show on the calendar, things are kind of turning around, things are getting better. Then it became this super cool ethos of Everyone’s gonna hear the high school musical theme. We’re all in it together. Like it was cool that we were all in the trenches together like great We all watched movies together. Everyone helped me. It was fantastic But now we’re on the come-up together and realizing how rich that come-up was with everyone in tow And so my husband was there in Louisville. He was there in Chattanooga for Nationals Like he’s texting me constantly when I’m at shows and he’s not there Cheryl McColgan (15:58)you Kiara Loucks (16:22)It brought us so much closer together and it made me realize that win, lose or draw, I’m a better person for being in this with the people that I love building something that’s inspirational for other people. Like the number of messages I had of people who, from people who had watched the whole health journey into the prep, into the shows, into doing very well in the shows, who reached out and said like, holy shit, I’m going to get off the couch and I’m going to do this because if you can do this, like I can do that. And so it’s realizing mentally, we don’t live for ourselves. Like the fullest life we can possibly aim to live is that for others. And bodybuilding is an incredibly selfish sport, but this whole evolution turned it around into this is for my family, this is with my family, this is for other people. And I will be extremely transparent about all of the highs and the lows and everything in between. So I don’t know if that answered your question, but yeah, it was a really cool turning point for me that has. completely transcended bodybuilding into my career, into my hobbies, into my passion projects on the side. So it’s been really cool. Cheryl McColgan (17:28)Yeah, and it’s been it’s been so fun to watch as people on the outside, like you said, you had so many people rooting for you and just following along with your journey. And, you know, I guess part of our time together was like we were at the show doing this and we were in separate divisions. And so we kind of had to stick to, I guess, you know, I don’t want to say surface level conversations, but we didn’t get a chance to really dive deep into some of this stuff. So it wasn’t until later afterwards where I was watching, you know, some of your Instagram stories and Kiara Loucks (17:42)Yes. Mm-hmm. Okay. Cheryl McColgan (17:58)of the comments that people were making about your health journey and all this stuff that I really was able to see, you know, just how much you would come through. so hearing this today kind of like puts all the pieces together and just makes the whole thing even just more amazing. And I think it’s really exciting now what you’re kind of turning that into because I have a feeling that all of this And you know, just recovering after a show people that haven’t done it. It’s, know, bodybuilding is not a healthy thing. Let’s be real lifting weights is healthy, but bodybuilding is a very extreme sport. You’re getting to an extreme level of leanness, which especially for women is really hard, like on your hormones on your body, everything. And, you know, I’ve certainly experienced that. I don’t know, aftermath, for lack of a better word. ⁓ Kiara Loucks (18:27)No. Mm-hmm. Yep. Yep. Cheryl McColgan (18:49)And it’s just a very interesting mental challenge afterwards as well as physical. And ⁓ so it wasn’t surprising to me that I saw after your show, you kind of turned to ⁓ this retreat that you ended up going on. so now I would love it if you’d share about that. Like what made you become aware of that? And is my sense right that you kind of just needed some like recharge alone time? I’d to hear just all about that, how that happened. Kiara Loucks (18:54)⁓ Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah, I love this. It’s like the most exciting thing in my life right now. So 100 % you’re correct. Once the show season was over, I just realized how much of my time had been spent in the gym, working, and then being a wife, being in the family. Like it’s just every day just trying to go. And one of my favorite things is spending time outside. Like I firmly believe that it is the closest place to the divine. It makes me happy. It gives me clarity. Like it is my favorite place to be. I live in Colorado. So I realized like a year went by that I hadn’t gone just to play outside with my dog. Like, okay, like I just need to get outside more. And I was feeling this void, which did you feel after the show too? It’s like this depression a little bit. Cheryl McColgan (19:45)Love it. a little bit. It’s kind of a, you know, I wish I would have done a better job documenting some of that stuff I kept meaning to, because it is just kind of a wild thing. But it never I guess, for part of it for me is because Kiara Loucks (20:11)Mm-hmm. Cheryl McColgan (20:16)I always knew that I would, you know, I’m still working, going to the gym five days a week and still just really trying to build my lean muscle for the purposes we were talking about, just making sure that I stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible and that I can lift myself off the toilet when I’m 80 years old and things like that, you know, if I’m lucky enough to make it to that age. ⁓ Kiara Loucks (20:30)Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yep. Exactly. Cheryl McColgan (20:39)So I guess in the back of my mind, it was like, well, this was an interesting process and stuff, but I was anxious to kind of get back to quote unquote normal life. Like what you’re talking about, like more time to spend time outdoors and more time to enjoy food and drinks with friends and not have to be so focused on every single bite you’re putting in your mouth. I don’t know, somehow I kind of, feel like I distracted myself from a little bit of that, but I… Kiara Loucks (20:48)normal yeah Exactly. Cheryl McColgan (21:06)I’ve read a lot of and heard a lot of other people’s stories that talk about that because this almost like well you you had these goals, the goal you got there basically. And then what you kind of go off the cliff, right? Yeah, I don’t know. I avoided that a little bit. I don’t know that sure how Kiara Loucks (21:15)Yeah, exactly. Yeah, so perfect. You know, I’m thrilled for you. did not. I just, I don’t know. Like I think if I had a body that could sustain it, which I don’t think anybody’s meant for it, I would compete all year long every year. Like I just love it so much. But when we finished nationals in Chattanooga, I just knew my body was asking for a break. Like there were just several signs that I needed to pump the, pump the breaks and chill. And so coming out of that, I realized I needed to be outside more and I just felt this void like. this one thing I’d been working for and felt meaning in, all these people invested in my story, it just was suddenly gone. And so I’m like, okay, I just need to go outside. And I had a dear girlfriend of mine actually come out and we went up to a cabin in the mountains and we were chatting and it like, I just don’t know what I’m chasing after. Like I always have something I’m chasing after and I feel like I’m missing it. And she was like, well, Kiara, you’ve been chasing outside. Like since you finished competing, all you’ve done is chase the mountains. And I’m like, well, no, no, no, like that’s just a medium. That’s a catalyst for me to find clarity. That’s not what I’m chasing. Yeah, that’s ridiculous. And sure enough, it is what I was chasing. And for the last several years, I’ve had on my vision board wanting to start a business to allow space and build a community for women to get out into the back country together. Because like all of the same things that you and I probably took away from bodybuilding, the confidence, the discipline, the community aspect, if you’re fortunate to have that, like Those are all things that I’ve found historically in the outdoors, but I think the value of the outdoors far outlasts and has much deeper lengths to it than bodybuilding. And so it’s been on my vision board for years to start a business that I can just take women outdoors and on these retreats and do cool things. And it was just another pipe dream, right? But God bless vision boards and always coming back to like ourselves and where we find meaning and purpose. And so just by happenstance, this opportunity dropped into my lap in August. So my last show of the year was middle of June, went outside a bunch, kind of just got my head screwed on a little bit for the rest of June and July. And then this opportunity dropped in my lap to go to Montana with a group called Her Outdoor Journey in August. And it was gonna be their summit, which means they were doing everything from Butchery to survival to fieldcraft to foraging to defensive shooting to Glassing which is basically understanding how to scope the side of a hill and look for animals They were doing all of this in one event. I was like alright cool I will help you guys out in trade just to go check this out because it seems kind of rad and I on a whim didn’t know anyone got in the car drove up to Montana like 12 hours And I show up and this week completely changed my life. mean, I’ve never been around a group of 20 plus women and there’s no drama, no clicks, people wanting to help, people wanting to serve, everyone having a blast. Like, and not only that, it was the skill sets that we were handed, like the education and the content. was like, I need more of this and I need to share this with as many people as I can. Like, how can I get more in the weeds on this? So I sat down with Courtney Pridi, who is the founder of her outdoor journey. And we just kind of started dreaming up how we could work together and she needed me. I needed her. Like it was this extremely serendipitous, miraculous meeting of two people who desperately needed each other. And her and I since then have walked hand in hand, just blowing the lid off of this thing. So we have like over 15 events next year, all across the continental US, Alaska and Hawaii. We’re also looking at Canada. But our mission really is to teach and empower women and get them outside. And it’s like this beautiful thing that happens when you’re learning and you’re vulnerable, when you’re outside, like all of these perfect elements that bring out the most beautiful side of people. And that’s the part that I love is nurturing these women, these people, these families, seeing how we can impact as many women and families as we can. So. Yeah, long story short, it has been the coolest thing I have found and I also fell in love with butchery out of that. So have kind of been on this whirlwind of working with feedlots and local ranchers and processing plants, understanding truly what is it that we’re eating. So going back to health and wellness, we just talked about bodybuilding is not a healthy sport. And so when you’re given a certain set macros for the day, you’ll eat trash as long as it fills those macros and you’re enjoying it. When Cheryl McColgan (26:02)Thank Kiara Loucks (26:04)Much like you, I got into this because I fell in love with taking care of myself. And so I had completely gone off path. And when I found this, it was like, ⁓ I can literally make an entire meal for me and my family off of literally just what exists out here in the back country. Understanding the seasonings, the foods that we are given naturally growing in the mountains or wherever. What Google reactions. ⁓ she is. But yeah, ⁓ so it’s just Cheryl McColgan (26:31)you Kiara Loucks (26:33)this really cool journey that’s now evolved into the butchery side of things and long tail like I would love one day to open my own high end butcher shop and do high end steak dinners for people that they get to pick right out of the case supporting local agriculture, which is a dying breed in our country right now. So bringing awareness to those things, bringing people along for the ride. I have no idea what we’re going to do with all of this, but I’m just so happy. Like I’m just right where I feel like I need to be. Cheryl McColgan (27:02)Yeah, watching some of your stories when you were on that retreat, I felt the same way. I was just so happy for you because I could just tell you were enjoying it so much and you’re in your element. And it did not surprise me afterwards that you’re like, I’m going to be a butcher. I mean, you’re crazy. I’ll get on to something. I’m just like, Oh, well, this is now this is my thing, you know, which is amazing. So so people are hearing this and they’re like, Okay, that sounds really cool. I would love to, you know, spend some time with other women out Kiara Loucks (27:10)Hmm. No! Yeah, exactly. Okay. Cheryl McColgan (27:31)doors, do all the things. And also though, I can see how maybe some people like there probably will be some people to be like, okay, I like a lot of that, but I’m not into the hunting or I like a lot of that, but I don’t know that I want to chop up a deer and skin a deer on this retreat. Tell us how that works. Kiara Loucks (27:40)What? yeah, very fair. Not expected, not expected at all. So we actually offer a whole host of opportunities for people to get on trips with us. One of the events I’m looking forward to the most is actually an adventure retreat up in Alaska. So we are literally gonna go jet ski in the glacier, ride horses, ATV, spa day. Like it is an adventure retreat. There is no hunting, there are no guns. There’s no butchery. There’s no nothing that should really kind of raise flags for some people. Knowing that, everyone has different thresholds. So if you come on any of our trips and you’re like, this part is not for me. So for example, the event that I was just talking about back in August, the defensive shooting, we had women that didn’t feel comfortable being on a range with other women who had never shot a gun. Great. They went out and had their own like they went for a hike. They read their books. They went and hung out. There’s so much freedom and liberty to do whatever you’re comfortable with. Our mission is to serve you and make sure you’re walking away with what you intended to get out of an event. So whether that’s rest and recovery, a little adventure, learning skills or trades, we do it all. And there’s never any judgment when you decide something isn’t for you. Cheryl McColgan (29:01)can you share the website and where they can find out information about the trips and do you know off the top of your head like when the next one is? Because this episode will come out fairly soon here. Kiara Loucks (29:09)Yes, absolutely. Yeah, so our next one coming up is actually our first winter retreat in Yellowstone. So you can find out more at heroutdorjourney.com or on Instagram at heroutdorjourney. And we’re actually just launching all of our events for next year. So take a look. We actually have everything from, like I said, the adventure retreats to archery, long range shooting, you name it. We got it. And we also have payment plans. So knowing that some of these are maybe a little bit more expensive, we do have payment plans and we also have gift cards. So knowing the holidays are coming up, if you want to gift some special lady in your life the time of her life and change her world forever, we are your people. So give us a shout. Cheryl McColgan (29:52)Awesome. And on top of that, where can people connect with you personally and kind of follow along with your journey? ⁓ You post somewhat frequently Instagram, but I don’t know if you have any other socials that you want to share. Kiara Loucks (30:03)Yeah, yeah, no, Instagram is the best. As I’m kind of defining this new chapter of my life, I’ve tried to be a little more conscientious about what I’m posting and how I’m presenting to the world. So we’re gonna get back in the saddle here pretty soon with more consistent posts and all sorts of exciting stuff going on in the world. But yeah, follow along at at Chiara.Lowx. Yeah, at Chiara.Lowx. My brain is halfway here. Yeah, there you go. Cheryl McColgan (30:25)One, I’ll have it in the show notes as well if for some reason you can’t find her. Well, Kiara, it’s been so wonderful catching up with you again today and ⁓ sharing more of your journey that I was not aware of. And I’m really excited for everything that’s going to happen next. And I will be following along to see what amazing things you do from here. Kiara Loucks (30:43)thank you. And thank you again for having me on. You’re just one of my favorite people, even though we haven’t spent a ton of time together, obviously. But sourdough, you won my heart forever. So thank you. Cheryl McColgan (30:53)It’s my love language. All right, take care and we’ll see you again next time. Kiara Loucks (30:55)I’m here for it. Sounds good. Thank you.

Follow optYOUmize Podcast with Brett Ingram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Summary Jennifer Watson shares her journey from high-performance athlete to leadership coach, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and self-awareness in achieving sustainable success. Discover practical tips on optimizing your mind and body, embracing your true self, and navigating transitions as a high performer. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jennifer Watson and her background 01:17 Jennifer's journey from athlete to performance coach 03:32 The importance of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership 04:47 Overcoming anxiety and perfectionism in sharing your journey 06:52 Reconnecting with your true self and passions 08:10 The role of energy, mindset, and the human machine 10:54 Lessons from high-level athletics and mental mastery 14:01 Balancing passion, performance, and avoiding burnout 16:36 The importance of loving what you do and exploring passions 19:33 Listening to your body and the power of rest and breaks 21:35 Jennifer's transition from physical therapy to coaching and speaking 23:46 The value of authentic self-expression and breaking patterns 26:24 The entrepreneurial journey as a path of accelerated self-development 28:23 Encouragement for taking risks and pursuing your purpose 31:07 The importance of coaching and continuous learning 33:00 Practical tips for transitioning to a more aligned career 34:57 Warning signs you're not on the right path 36:47 Questions to assess happiness, health, and authenticity 38:41 Using body and mind to make decisions and move forward 40:53 Where to connect with Jennifer Watson 42:06 Jennifer's top tip for success: Know yourself and do it on purpose #performance #leadership #personaldevelopment #entrepreneurship #optyoumize #brettingram #entrepreneurpodcast #podmatch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stay informed on current events, visit www.NaturalNews.com  - Iran's Terms of Surrender and US Military Struggles (0:11) - Anthropic's Lawsuit and AI Technology (1:33) - Food Supplies and Survival Preparedness (4:20) - US and Israel's Struggles in the War with Iran (5:55) - Iran's Control and Economic Impact (17:00) - Israel's Vulnerability and Potential Nuclear Threats (20:00) - Trump's Desperate Measures and Global Economic Impact (32:44) - Electric Vehicles and Off-Grid Energy (32:58) - AI and Health Freedom (48:58) - The Fight for Freedom of Speech (50:05) - Fighting for Freedom of Speech (51:11) - Promoting the Film and Support (55:58) - AI Tools and Resources (1:21:21) - Government and Big Tech Collusion (1:22:12) - Legal Battle and Constitutional Rights (1:23:37) - Call to Action and Resistance (1:24:20) Watch more independent videos at http://www.brighteon.com/channel/hrreport  ▶️ Support our mission by shopping at the Health Ranger Store - https://www.healthrangerstore.com ▶️ Check out exclusive deals and special offers at https://rangerdeals.com ▶️ Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed: https://www.naturalnews.com/Readerregistration.html Watch more exclusive videos here:

Encrypted Client Hello: Ready for Prime Time? https://isc.sans.edu/diary/Encrypted%20Client%20Hello%3A%20Ready%20for%20Prime%20Time%3F/32778 The ExifTool vulnerability: how an image can infect macOS systems https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/exiftool-macos-picture-vulnerability-mitigation-cve-2026-3102/55362/ Remote code execution in Nextcloud Flow via vulnerable Windmill version https://github.com/nextcloud/security-advisories/security/advisories/GHSA-g7vj-98x3-qvjf

Rebecca Thompson, family physician, on redefining strength in motherhood and why vulnerability matters more than being the "strong mom." An honest conversation about the difference between pity and compassion, the tension between privacy and oversharing, and the emotional truth that grief and joy can coexist. This episode explores what it means to be witnessed in your story—and how holding the long view can sustain us through the messy, beautiful work of parenting. Get her book: Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love – Navigating Grief and Joy Through Women's Diverse Journeys to Parenthood, Family, and Community  LINKS AND RESOURCES Support the podcast by making a donation (suggested amount $15) 732-763-2576 call to leave a voicemail.  info@authenticparenting.com Send audio messages using Speakpipe. Join the Authentic Parenting Community on Facebook. Work w/Anna. Listeners get 10% off her services.  Podcast Production by Aminur. 

Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes Jen Fisher, author of Hope Is the Strategy: The Underrated Skill That Transforms Work, Leadership, and Wellbeing. In project management circles, we often hear the phrase "hope is not a strategy." Jen challenges that assumption, arguing that real hope is not wishful thinking at all. Instead, it's a practical cognitive process that can help leaders navigate uncertainty, pressure, and change. In the discussion, Jen explains how hope requires three elements: clear goals, multiple pathways to reach them, and the agency to believe we can influence outcomes. You'll also hear her personal story of realizing she was languishing under constant performance pressure, and how a candid conversation with her boss sparked the beginning of a healthier and more hopeful way of working. Along the way, Jen shares practical tools such as possibility journaling, energy ledgers, and hope spotting. She also explains why vulnerability can be a leadership superpower and how simple language shifts can turn hope killers into hope builders. If you're leading teams and projects under constant pressure and looking for practical ways to sustain both performance and wellbeing, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "How would I describe myself? I'm a hope dealer." "Hope is not flimsy. It's not whimsical." "Real hope actually requires action." "What drives hopelessness is feeling like there's nothing you can do." "Hope is the belief that tomorrow can be better than today." "67% of managers said that they've never been trained in how to manage other people. We put humans in charge of other humans, but we give them very little skill and training in how to lead." "You can perform when you're languishing, but the question is really why should we or why would we want to." "For the first time in my professional life, I actually felt seen and heard and valued." "Toxic positivity only makes people feel worse." "Possibility journaling is really thinking about what might be possible here." "Vulnerability is proof that you're human." "When people are feeling uncertain, they want to connect to somebody that feels human." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Start of Interview 02:00 What Hope Is Not: Clearing Up the Misconceptions 03:45 What Real Hope Actually Requires 05:42 Agency and the Feeling of Hopelessness 06:24 Burnout vs. Hopelessness: Is There a Difference? 07:55 Wellbeing Intelligence: The Leadership Skill We're Missing 11:44 Languishing: That Gray Space Between Fine and Flourishing 14:15 The Hidden Cost of Time Pressure on Creativity 17:00 Breaking Through the High-Functioning Facade 20:15 Setting Boundaries as a Recovering People Pleaser 24:03 Practical Tools: Possibility Journal, Energy Ledger, and Hope Spotting 29:15 Vulnerability as a Leadership Superpower 33:46 Hope Killers and Hope Builders: The Language of Hope 38:00 The Hope Audit and the Hope Strategist Toolkit 39:33 Applying Hope at Home and as a Caregiver 41:30 Where to Learn More About Jen 41:26 End of Interview 41:54 Andy Comments After the Interview 45:18 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Jen and her work at Jen-Fisher.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 462 with Margie Warrell. Part of Jen's message in the book is the importance of agency—of believing that you're not a victim and that you have options. Margie is a fierce advocate for how to take action when you're feeling hopeless. I highly recommend her work. Episode 448 with Marie-Hélène Pelletier. It's an engaging discussion about burnout and resilience, and a fantastic follow-up to this discussion with Jen. Episode 396 with Thomas Curran. It's an episode on perfectionism, and I think you'll find it an excellent follow-up to this discussion as well. Chat with PMeLa You can chat directly with PMeLa, the podcast's AI persona, to get episode recommendations and answers to your project management and leadership questions. Visit PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/PMeLa to chat with her. Pass the PMP Exam If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year! Join Us for LEAD52 I know you want to be a more confident leader–that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Wellbeing, Burnout, Hope, Resilience, Vulnerability, Boundaries, Team Culture, Employee Engagement, Languishing, Psychological Safety, Workplace Performance The following music was used for this episode: Music: Imagefilm 034 by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations). What if the version of strength most men were handed is quietly breaking them?In this deep and honest conversation, Brandon Clift interviews Trey Tucker, founder of Rugged Counseling and author of Tough Enough, a book written specifically for men in their twenties who feel stuck, drifting, or disconnected.Trey opens up about the sudden death of his father and how he navigated grief without shutting down emotionally. He shares the unconventional approach he used to process loss and how it shaped his model of therapy today.Together, they explore:• Why many men struggle with grief • The biological differences in how men and women process stress • Why traditional therapy can leave men stuck in awareness without action • The rise of red pill culture and why it initially feels empowering • Why Gen Z men are increasingly unmotivated at work • The dangerous trend of “playing it safe” • The need for mentorship and modern rites of passage • Why men need vision, accountability, and action • The difference between repression and strengthTrey argues that masculinity itself is not the problem. Misguided expression is.Instead of eliminating grit, dominance, or ambition, he calls men to integrate emotional awareness with decisive action.This episode is for:Men in their twenties who feel directionlessFathers raising sons in a confusing cultural momentLeaders managing disengaged young menAnyone wondering if therapy could be more effective for menStrength is not the absence of emotion. It's the ability to face it without flinching.Rugged Counseling (Trey Tucker's practice) https://www.ruggedcounseling.com/InstagramThe main Instagram account associated with him and his work is: https://www.instagram.com/ruggedcounseling/Tough Enough Book: https://a.co/d/0erVME7U BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.#Sponsorship #AdSupport the show

Most men know they're "supposed to be vulnerable." Almost none of them know what that actually means in practice... what to say, how to say it, and why it works.In this episode, I break down what real vulnerability sounds like in a relationship and what it does to your partner when you show up that way.Then you'll hear directly from Danny, a guy who'd been with his wife for 24 years, ended up in a sexless marriage with her, and turned everything around in five months without ever hiring a coach.This is what doing the work actually looks like!Apply for 1:1 Coaching: https://stephanieganowski.typeform.com/to/Fm6LGfa9?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=1on1_coachingShow your woman some love right now: https://stephanieganowski.com/lp/texther.html

I never thought I would see this moment happen in Australia. As a Puerto Rican woman who has lived here for 16 years, watching Bad Bunny perform in Sydney to a packed stadium was emotional in ways I can't fully explain. Thousands of people singing in Spanish. Puerto Rican flags everywhere. Latinos from all over the world connecting in a country where Spanish speakers are such a small percentage of the population. It was powerful. It was joyful. It was deeply personal. But this episode isn't just about the concert. It's about identity, authenticity, personal branding, and the power of showing up unapologetically as yourself. Bad Bunny isn't just one of the biggest artists in the world. He's built a global movement by being radically authentic — and there are massive lessons in that for anyone building a business, a brand, or a life where you refuse to play small. In this episode, I share the full story of the weekend, the Puerto Rican community we found here in Australia, and the powerful business and life lessons behind the experience. Because when you truly own who you are… Everything changes. In This Episode • What it felt like seeing Bad Bunny perform in Australia • Why the moment meant so much as a Puerto Rican living abroad • The unexpected community that formed around the concert • The power of authenticity in building a global brand • What entrepreneurs can learn from Bad Bunny's personal brand • Why being unapologetically yourself attracts the right people • The difference between followers and real community • How cultural pride and identity shape the work we do Key Takeaway You don't build a powerful brand by blending in. You build it by owning exactly who you are. Bad Bunny didn't become the biggest artist in the world by trying to fit in. He did it by turning himself all the way up. And that's the lesson. Resources & Links

Sometimes it can feel difficult to validate the people we are in relationship with. Validation is an effective way to support others and let them know we see their struggle and that we love them, so how do we approach this when we don't agree with them? It's actually just a matter of learning to validate their feelings rather than their thoughts. Let me show you how this works. Thanks for listening!  Want to learn more about this concept?  Check out these podcasts: #77 Other People's Opinions on Apple on Spotify #96 Understanding the Thought Model on Apple on Spotify #97 Why the Thought Model Matters on Apple on Spotify #280 Living in Alignment on Apple or Spotify #289 Why Our Relationships Needs Validation on Apple on Spotify #303 The Thought Model Reteach on Apple on Spotify #331 Sense of Self on Apple on Spotify #332 Sense of Self – It's All In Your Head on Apple on Spotify #368 Stay Out of Other People's Relationships on Apple on Spotify #390 You Can't Fill Their Bucket on Apple on Spotify #392 Vulnerability and Validation on Apple on Spotify #397 The Relationship Bucket on Apple on Spotify Are you curious about what it would be like to work with me? Here are three options: Group coaching classes are available at tanyahale.com/groupcoaching Talk with Tanya is a free monthly webinar where you can ask me anything and we can have a great discussion.  You can sign up for that at tanyahale.com/groupcoaching Interested in a free 90-minute coaching/consult with me?  Access my calendar at: https://tanyahalecalendar.as.me/

In this fun, deep, and vulnerable episode, Logan Petersen shares his unexpected journey of dealing with mental struggles to becoming a leading influencer in men's mental health and starting a podcast called Dad Bods and Beards.He shares a powerful and emotional story of experiencing a mental breakdown, and was fortunate to have the help of his wife and first responders to get on a path of recovery and stability. He's now a voice and advocate for men's mental health and shares the message with humor and a relatable authenticity. He's also diving into a stand up comedy tour called Middle Aged Mayem – watch for tour dates!Follow Logan on instagram here:Instagram.com/loganpetersenDad Bods and Beards Podcast:YoutubeSpotifyApple podcastInstagram.com/dadbodsandbeards_

In this episode of The Cybersecurity Defenders Podcast, we discuss some intel being shared in the LimaCharlie community.Iranian drone strikes damaged three Amazon Web Services data center facilities in the Middle East, highlighting the physical risks associated with large-scale cloud infrastructure.Cyber activity linked to Iran and pro-Iranian actors has intensified following a joint US–Israeli military strike on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other government officials.The India-linked advanced persistent threat group known as “Sloppy Lemming” has significantly increased its cyber operations over the past year, targeting organizations in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other parts of South and Southeast Asia.A cybersecurity researcher has reported a potentially serious vulnerability in Honeywell's IQ4 building management controller, though the vendor disputes both the severity and practical impact of the issue.Support our show by sharing your favorite episodes with a friend, subscribe, give us a rating or leave a comment on your podcast platform.This podcast is brought to you by LimaCharlie, maker of the SecOps Cloud Platform, infrastructure for SecOps where everything is built API first. Scale with confidence as your business grows. Start today for free at limacharlie.io.

What does it take to go from being a shy singer in Ohio to a viral powerhouse with over 200 million streams? This week, Jamie sits down with maryjo to discuss her incredible journey from TikTok breakthrough to reclaiming her narrative as a fully independent artist. Fresh off her return to the American Idol stage and currently on the road with Alex Sampson, maryjo pulls back the curtain on the "artist's life." We dive into the grit required to manage the business side of music, her secrets for maintaining a world-class vocal range on tour, and the emotional weight of her hit song, "Living Room." Whether you're an aspiring artist or a music fan, maryjo's perspective on courage, stage fright, and creative legacy is a must-listen. In this episode, we discuss: The Independent Pivot: Why maryjo chose to leave the major label system and lean into her own soulful sound. Touring Realities: Staying healthy on the road and the importance of connecting with fans face-to-face. The Business Mindset: How her time in business school shaped her approach to a music career. Vulnerability & Vision: The stories behind her new single "No More Heart To Break" and her viral duet with Benson Boone. __ On the Road with Jrodconcerts Media: Stay tuned to the feed! Jrodconcerts is heading to Florida for the Okeechobee Music Festival (March 19-22) and Napa Valley for Live in the Vineyard this April. Follow us for exclusive on-the-ground coverage. Follow maryjo: Instagram & TikTok: @maryjo.young Connect with us: Instagram: @jrodconcertsmedia Web: jrodconcertsmedia.com __ Support The Show: Cheerios: Try Cheerios Protein! https://www.cheerios.com/shop-protein-bundle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon Sinek drops a truth early that most people are not prepared to hear: income inequality is a greater social threat than AI or another pandemic, and history shows exactly where that kind of imbalance leads. He connects that global tension directly to what is happening inside your own relationships, because the same failure to listen, the same refusal to co-create, shows up at the kitchen table and in the boardroom. Simon challenges the idea that vulnerability means broadcasting your emotions online, arguing that true safety comes only when you sit across from someone you trust and say the hard thing out loud. He lays out a simple reframe for capitalism itself, one built around purpose first, people second, and profit third, and shows how that same hierarchy applies to how you show up at work and at home. Walk away from this conversation with a clearer picture of who you actually work for and why getting that answer right changes everything. Simon's books: Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't Together Is Better: A Little Book of Inspiration Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team The Infinite Game Start with Why 15th Anniversary Edition: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action In this episode you will: Learn why broadcasting vulnerability online gives you likes but not the safety you are actually looking for, and what real vulnerability requires. Discover why the metrics you use to measure a good day, productivity, followers, titles, are actively working against your sense of worth and what to track instead. Understand how to co-create boundaries in relationships and at work so both sides feel heard rather than managed. Recognize the social ripples that fear creates around AI and economic inequality so you can respond thoughtfully rather than react from panic. Reframe what it means to live a life of service, whether you lead a company, a team, or just show up daily for the people around you. For more information go to https://lewishowes.com/1898 For more Greatness text PODCAST to +1 (614) 350-3960 More SOG episodes we think you'll love: Lewis Howes [SOLO] Brendon Burchard Leslie John Get more from Lewis! Get my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!Get The Greatness Mindset audiobook on SpotifyText Lewis AIYouTubeInstagramWebsiteTiktokFacebookX Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mike de la Rocha is a musician, author, and social justice advocate who joins Paul to discuss why vulnerability is so important for men– something his father's death helped him see. Look for his book, Sacred Lessons: Teaching My Father How to Love, and his podcast of the same name.More about Mike de la Rocha:Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Lessons-Teaching-Father-Love/dp/B0D5WKQDSPIG: https://www.instagram.com/mrmikedelarocha/?hl=enPodcast: https://www.instagram.com/oursacredlessons/?hl=enRevolve:https://www.revolveimpact.com/This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.This episode is sponsored by Alma. Search their directory of over 20,000 therapists with different specialities, life experiences, and identities, and 99% of them take insurance. Go to www.HelloAlma.com/happyhourThis episode is sponsored by The Jordan Harbinger Show. Learn more about the world, improve your critical thinking skills and be entertained! Listen or subscribe here: jordanharbinger.com/subscribe Apple Podcasts: jordanharbinger.com/itunesSpotify: jordanharbinger.com/spotifyHere are the two episodes Paul recommended.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1280-cory-doctorow-why-everything-got-worse-and-what/id1344999619?i=1000747830030Andhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1238-ken-burns-what-if-the-american-revolution-isnt-over/id1344999619?i=1000736232557If you're interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.comWAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podcasts (or whatever player you use). It costs nothing. It's extremely helpful to have your subscription set to download all episodes automatically. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mental-illness-happy-hour/id427377900?mt=2Spread the word via social media. It costs nothing.Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donateYou can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com) To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oprah Winfrey and Maria Shriver have shared more than 40 years of friendship, built on loyalty, honesty, and showing up for one another. In this conversation from October 2021, they join Hoda to talk about navigating births, deaths, marriage, divorce, and evolving as people while staying connected through it all. Plus, Winfrey reflects on one of the darkest periods of her life and why learning to cherish the people who stand beside you matters most. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.