
The Plastic Couch
By Kristen Crockett


36: Being the Strong Friend, Burnout, and Choosing You with Yarbrah Peeples
In this powerful and unforgettable episode of The Plastic Couch Podcast, Yarbrah shares her experience transitioning into a C-suite role as Chief Program Officer before she made the difficult decision to choose herself and quit her job. She also talks about the physical and mental toll of burnout, being the problem solver, pushing beyond capacity, how childhood experiences shaped her identity as a high achiever, her struggle with perfectionism, and the breaking point that led to her decision to leave her role despite feelings of guilt and responsibility.
Music Credit: "Circle" by Columbia Nights
[00:00] Introduction to episode about being the "strong friend"
[01:00] Yarbrah describes her breaking point and decision to quit
[02:00] Host Kristen welcomes Yarbrah to the podcast
[04:00] Yarbrah describes herself in three words: empowering, anxious, leader
[07:00] Yarbrah discusses quickly being promoted to Chief Program Officer
[10:00] Trying to maintain a confident facade while struggling
[14:00] Childhood experiences as the "good girl" who achieved[18:00] Comparison with her sister and internalizing problems
[23:00] Discussion about perfectionism and avoiding activities not immediately good at
[27:00] Internal struggle of feeling responsible for fixing everything[32:00] Kristen spotting signs of Yarbrah's struggle
[36:00] Never learning when something was "too much"
[40:00] Physical symptoms of burnout
[45:00] Moment of truth – seeing herself in the mirror
[50:00] Returning from vacation and decision to quit[55:00] Friend pointing out she picked herself, not just let others down
[59:00] Unrealistic plans for productivity during time off
[01:04:00] Challenge of truly resting for the first time
[01:08:00] Closing advice about identifying people who see you
[01:22:00] Closing thanks and sign-off

35: Reiki and Energy Healing: How It Changed My Life w/ Brandi
If you have ever wondered about Reiki, what it is, and how it can help you, this is the episode for you. We're about to embark on an exploration of Reiki with Brandi, Reiki Practitioner and Healer. This episode just might change the way you think about health, wellness, grief, and healing.
Connect with Brandi on IG at @itsreikilove
Sign up for Ascend at https://kristencrockett.com/ascend
Join the Sisterlift™ community at sisterlift.com

34: Creating Space For Self-Discovery in Your Career w/Lillian Seidel
In this episode, Kristen is interviewed by Lillian Seidel as they go deep into the journey of self-discovery and the importance of learning to listen to yourself. Kristen and Lillian explore how inner wisdom is an essential tool for personal growth. They share experiences with resistance, self-sabotage, and imposter syndrome, offering insights on overcoming these obstacles.
You'll hear about the balance between seeking external knowledge and trusting your instincts, the power of creating space for reflection, and the value of embracing vulnerability. Whether you're navigating career pivots or striving for deeper connections, this episode will inspire you to follow your passion, purpose, and authentic self.
Ascend - Ready to Craft a Resume and Authentic Brand That Stands Out? http://www.ascendcareeradvancement.com/
Kristen's profile on Road Trip Nation https://roadtripnation.com/leader/syr/5a74b5b97ebc328bb0d4e371
Lillian's substack: https://lillianseidel.substack.com/
Become a Member of Sisterlift https://www.sisterlift.com/

28: How to Understand Yourself Through Human Design
Welcome to your guide to Human Design. In this episode, you'll learn what human design is, how to use it in life or at work, and how to look up your chart. Human design is all about how to manage your energy.
To look up your Human Design chart, go here: https://myhumandesignguide.com/
To download your personalized Human Design Clarity Guide https://myhumandesignguide.com/shop/
To book a Human Design session with Kristen, go here:
https://calendly.com/kristen-crockett/human-design-session-with-kristen
To follow Kristen on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekristencrockett/

33: Aligning Your Resume: Career Transitions with Monica York
Kristen sits down with executive recruiter and career coach, Monica York, to discuss the power of authenticity in leadership and navigating career transitions. Monica shares her journey into recruiting, the challenges of working in male-dominated industries, and how she helps leaders align their strengths and professional goals to attract the role that is aligned for them.
Whether you're looking to level up in your career or make a bold transition, this conversation is packed with insights to help you gain clarity and confidence in your next steps. Plus, get an exclusive peek into ASCEND, a transformational career coaching experience with Kristen and Monica.
http://ascendcareeradvancement.com/
Monica on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicanyork/
Monica's website: https://www.matriarchsolutions.com/
- Monica’s Journey
- Challenges in Male-Dominated Industries
- Hiding vs. Being Her Authentic Self in Leadership
- Career Transitions
- Clarity - The Key to Finding The Right Career
- ASCEND Career Coaching Experience with Kristen Crockett and Monica York

32: Unlocking Joy: The Journey to Finding and Embracing Joy with Ayoka B.
Author Ayoka B. joins me on the Plastic Couch for a beautiful conversation about reiki, joy, and all of the things that prevent us from truly stepping into experiencing our joy. Ayoka shares her personal journey to joy, including her move to Costa Rica, and tips for discovering joy on your own terms.
Join the Sisterlift™ community
Check out Ayoka's book on:

31: Beyond the Secrets: One Woman's Path to Family, Forgiveness, and Freedom
What happens when everything you know about your birth, identity, and origins - turns out to be a lie? Just before he died, Farrah's father told her a secret that shattered her entire world. She spent the next 10 years putting the pieces of her life back together. This episode dives into what happens when secrets and lies reveal themselves from the grave and the resilience and healing that can lead you to grace, self-love, and knowing who you really are.
Join our vibrant Sisterlift™ community. Apply today. www.sisterlift.com

30: Moving Through Grief with Karla Allen
Kristen speaks with Karla Allen about her grief journey after her father's plane crashed when she was 19. What happens when grief becomes your identity? How do you move through it to find out who you really are? Join Kristen's upcoming Coping With Grief and Loss workshop. https://bit.ly/griefworkshoplive

29: Ten Years of Love Lessons

27: Why Attention Or Visibility Makes You Uncomfortable
What happens when you are placed in the spotlight? Does it make you feel uncomfortable? In this episode, we are talking about why attention may have you staying in the background and how visibility is related to moving into higher leadership.
Click here to apply for Expand & Lead, a 12-week leadership and coaching program for leaders of color who are ready for Executive Leadership https://kristencrockettcc.lpages.co/expand-and-lead-application/


25: Stop Calling Yourself a Hard Worker & Here’s Why
Being a hard worker has its pros and cons. People count on you for your work ethic and for how well you do things. But what about when it becomes overwhelming? After the episode, learn more about Kristen’s program. EXPAND AND LEAD™ is a 12-week comprehensive high-performance coaching program for mid to senior-level leaders of color who are ready to lead with authenticity, position themselves for greater impact, and prepare for the next level of leadership. To learn more about Kristen’s new program, check out this link: https://kristencrockettcc.lpages.co/expand-and-lead-application/

24: The Other Side of Life - Near Death Experience with Nicole Kerr
Nicole Kerr had a near-death experience after a car accident as a 19 year-old Air Force Academy Student. What happens when you literally die and are brought back to life? What are the lessons you bring with you about the human experience?
So my guest today is Nicole Kerr. Imagine being 19 years-old, a cadet at the Airforce Academy, when the car you are in goes off the road and you literally flatline. Did she see that bright light? Did she see angels? How did this moment impact her or influence who she is today?
We hear from Nicole herself as she talks about how this moment changed her life, her relationship with her parents, and her purpose in this world.
The links for this podcast: Book- You are Deathless by Nicole Kerrhttps://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Deathless-Near-Death-Experience/dp/B0B92CH4KN
Images from the book - see the car from Nicole's accidenthttps://www.nicolekerr.com/s-projects-side-by-side

23: Using Your Past To Pivot Into Your Strengths with Rachel Lockett, Executive Coach & Consultant

22: Part 2 - Raising Your Siblings with Aaron Garrett
Part 2 - What happens when you become the head of household at 9 years-old with four siblings, a disabled brother, and a mom with ALS? That is exactly what happened to our guest, Aaron Garrett. Join us to hear about his life story and how this tremendous amount of responsibility has impacted his relationships, his work life, and his relationship with money.

22: Part 1 - Raising Your Siblings Featuring Aaron Garrett
What happens when you become the head of household at 9 years-old with four siblings, a disabled brother, and a mom with ALS? That is exactly what happened to our guest, Aaron Garrett. Join us to hear about his life story and how this tremendous amount of responsibility has impacted his relationships, his work life, and his relationship with money.

21: Part 2 - Empaths, Responsibility & Putting Yourself In The Equation with Claudia Cauterucci
Part 2 of this episode features an incredible discussion with Claudia Cauterucci. Join us as we navigate topics around the responsibility and beauty of being an empath, what it is like to not fit the labels people place on you, and what it means to be a mindful parent. Claudia is a multilingual psychotherapist, spiritual scholar, and teacher based in Washington, D.C., with over 23 years in private practice.
Claudia's workshops, including the Empath Leader Workshop she talks about during this episode, can be found at: https://claudiacauterucci.com/

21: Part 1 - Empaths, Responsibility & Putting Yourself In The Equation with Claudia Cauterucci
Part one of this episode features an incredible discussion with Claudia Cauterucci, Psychotherapist and Dynamic Meditation Speaker. Join us as we navigate topics around the responsibility and beauty of being an empath, what it is like to not fit the labels people place on you, and what it means to be a mindful parent.
Claudia's workshops, including the Empath Leader Workshop she talks about during this episode, can be found at: https://claudiacauterucci.com/

20: Finding Joy After Pain: Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance with Courtney Shorter
Over the last few years, life for author and event planner Courtney Shorter has been a whirlwind of joy and pain, but her mission is always to find the joy. We explore life after Courtney's infertility journey which includes miscarriages, the loss of twin girls, and so much more. Join us for a an extremely revealing conversation about love, loss, joy, grief, and resilience.
Courtney is the co-author of the book, Resilience Rising, a collaboration of stories by resilient women detailing their experiences with infertility, pregnancy, infant loss, and finding joy after the pain. As an event planner, RyanMorgan Events is named in memory of her twin girls, Ryan and Morgan, is built on a bedrock of love, a passion for what’s possible and a commitment to be an unstoppable force for good! As a way to honor her babies, after many years of event planning and heartbreak, she recently extended our business to empower women who have experienced infant loss, miscarriages, and/or women who are living with infertility. She created a powerful space for women that crave to be heard and supported along this lonely journey.
The book can be purchased at www.soulfreemamas.com or on Amazon.

19: Never Be The Cause of Your Own "No"
Hearing the word no comes with the territory. But what happens when the no comes because you decide not to even apply?

18: How a Professional Organizer Transformed My Life w/Katherine Diaz Picott from TidyMilso
What's it like to hire a Professional Organizer? I'm sharing my experience with Marie Kondo certified organizer, Katherine Diaz Picott from TidyMilso. She is also talking about how she started her business, how she helps clients decide what to keep, and how to make room for more joy in your life. Check out before and after pics form Katherine on IG @TidyMilso or at www.tidymilso.com.

17: How To Avoid Narcissists in Relationships As An Empath
Empaths understand people and are sensitive to energy. Narcissists have zero empathy for people. So what's the attraction? We explore why empaths seem to always end of with narcissists in relationships and how to avoid them? Disrupting Your Narrative, our Group Coaching Program, open. Applications are due by June 7th!

16: Why We Grow & Our Parents Stay Stuck
Why do we grow toward the light, when our parents or caretakers avoid the light altogether. It can be such a frustrating experiencing. We are taking a look at the factors that distinguish us from our parents. We have opened the doors to Disrupting Your Narrative, our Group Coaching Program. Applications are due by June 7th! Also, check out our free replay of Igniting Your Core, our 3-day transformational event. Day 1: Discovering Your Narrative. Day 2: Aligning Your Life. Day 3: Leading From Your Gut. Also available at www.kristencrockett.com

15: The Infertility Journey with Brittney Jackson
www.fertilityaintfair.com/
www.instagram.com/fertilityaintfair
www.facebook.com/fertilityaintfair

14: Trusting Your Intuition
So how does intuition show up for you? Listen to the podcast and leave us an audio message by clicking here.
anchor.fm/kristencrockett/message

13: The Hidden Side of Family and Celebrities
How do we piece the amazing parts of a person together with the awful parts of them? What about when this person is your mother or your father. Or Bill Cosby? Or Steve Jobs? Join us as we talk about how to reconcile different versions of the same person. Or is it even possible?
Love the podcast?
1) Leave us an audio message by clicking here.
https://anchor.fm/kristencrockett/message
2) Consider supporting the Plastic Couch Podcast HERE to help us create more incredible content.

12: Money Mindset: Healing Our Relationship With Money
Steven's Website: https://stevenmhughes.com/
Steven on IG: https://www.instagram.com/stevenmhughes
Steven on clubhouse: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/@knowmoneysteve

11: The Journey of Alzheimer’s Disease & Caregiving: The Pain of the Long Goodbye
Alzheimer’s is called the long goodbye because the journey to a loved one’s last breath can last anywhere from months to over 20 years. Lisa’s journey with her mom took place over eight years. In this incredible episode, my guest host, Lisa, shares her story as she took on the role of caretaker, mother of two kids, and wife —- all while working and taking care of patients.
It is a story of heartbreak, love, pain, anger, exhaustion, and so much more. Join us as we talk about the stuff that so many people never share.
For resources on Alzheimer's Disease, go to:
Resources
https://www.alz.org/help-support/resources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-disease-research-centers
Support Groups
https://www.alz.org/nca/helping_you
The Brain Bank
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research_progress/brain-donation

10: From Ashamed to Living in Your Purpose: A Conversation With Fashion Blogger Tiffany Battle aka Curvy Coils
Tiffany Battle goes by @CurvyCoils on Instagram and @iamcurvycoils on Facebook. She is a fashion and style blogger who was recently featured on a billboard in the middle of Times Square. But her path to get there has not always been smooth. As a plus size child in a family of skinny women, there were no plus size clothes for her as a kid. She fought through shame, insecurities and isolation to find her place in the world of fashion, thrifting, and self-acceptance. Join me for one of my favorite podcast episodes as we talk about finding your place and passion in the world and embracing your strengths.
Find Tiffany on the following platforms:
https://www.instagram.com/curvycoils
https://www.facebook.com/iamcurvycoils/
Tiffany on her Times Square Billboard
Tiffany as a Thredup Ambassador
Love the podcast?
1) Leave us an audio message by clicking here.
2) Consider supporting the Plastic Couch Podcast HERE to help us create more incredible content.

9. Truth vs. Myth: Can We All Just Get Along In the Workplace?
Since we were kids, we have been taught that we should be able to get along with everyone, from the sandbox to the workplace. But is this really true? Join us for an illuminating discussion that answers the question, "Can we all just get along?"

8. Finding Your Fire & Creating Alignment In Your Life

7. Disrupting Your Narrative & Intro to Finding Your Fire

6. Responsibility: When what we carry impacts finding joy

5. Fathers

4: Coping With Loss and Grief

3. Energy, Red Flags & Knowing When It Is Time To Leave

2. Emotions, EQ & The Exhausting Pursuit of Perfection

1. Fear and Living for Others
Have you ever felt the pressure to conform to what other people want you to be or do? In this first episode of The Plastic Couch, Transformational Coach, Kristen Crockett talks about a defining moment on a plane that changed her life forever and what led her to quit her job and leave the legal field. She also shares tips on how to ensure that you choose the right career and workplace culture for your skills, talent and purpose. Learn how to determine your top strengths and your love languages to help you find a workplace culture that fits who you are and makes you feel valued.
