Stories of Inspiring Joy

Karen Rae is the founder of Balanced Life and creator of The Signature Balanced Life Planner®.  Karen created this planner to guide others in finding balance in their day-to-day activities. Karen is a single mother of two young daughters, a homemaker, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and business owner.  When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Karen realized she was busy, but she was missing the bigger picture.

This inspired her to develop the Balanced Life Planner® in an effort to help others to renew their focus on what matters the most - Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, and Friendships.  This is what Karen refers to as the 5 F's. The Signature Balanced Life Planner® is a culmination of lessons and experiences I have gained over my lifetime and enriched with inspirational quotes and ideas from others. Karen wants the Balanced Life Planner® to motivate others to live life to the fullest.

In today’s episode, Karen shares her story creating the Balanced Life Planner. When life slowed down due to the pandemic, it was a blessing in disguise for her family. Karen decided when life returned to normal, she didn’t want normal to look anything like it looked before. She wanted to regain control of her life, and live her life more intentionally. This led her to create the Balanced Life Planner, and start Balanced Life by Karen Rae. The crazy thing is, she never sought out to create a new business! But through what she believes was divine inspiration, she’s now living out her life’s purpose. Karen’s story is a beautiful reminder to listen to that still small voice within, because it will lead you into your destiny.

Misty Sansom is a writer and life purpose coach who helps people to figure out exactly what they’re meant to do in life and how to make it happen. Her philosophy is that we all have a purpose; something we are *meant* to do - but often, we struggle with how to find it, how to articulate it, and how to bring it to life. She guides people through this process through 1:1 coaching, her monthly membership and her ‘Find Your Purpose’ eBook. Misty’s approach to purpose, spirituality and personal growth is practical, down to earth and simple to follow. Her work has been featured on the Huffington Post, the Daily Guru, MindBodyGreen and more.

In today’s episode, Misty shares her story stepping into her purpose, connecting with her intuition, and allowing herself to be drawn to things. After her sister unexpectedly passed away, she realized that we have an ongoing and profound impact on the world, even after we’re gone. She shares her shifts in perspective and spirituality, and how she began to recognize that we are spiritual by default, there’s nothing more we have to than be ourselves. Misty dove into self-reflection and doing her own inner work, and she realized that her purpose is to help others discover their’s. As Misty so beautifully shares, the path to purpose is one of deep personal growth and personal development, and it’s a journey worth taking.

Myles Biggs is a passionate storyteller. His TEDx talk and book, both titled “Unseen Work” have been featured by Yahoo! and Business Insider. His first podcast, Relish The Journey, was named No. 5 on a list of the Top 15 Podcasts of 2020, by New York Weekly. As a podcaster, marketer, and personal coach he loves helping others uncover their talents and then share them with the world. When he's not creating content, you can find him consuming copious amounts of caffeine, exploring the outdoors, and making memories with his family.

In today’s episode, Myles shares his story building and creating his podcast, Relish the Journey. In the middle of moving and becoming a father, Myles was crazy enough to start a podcast (his words, not ours!) It’s been an incredible journey, and as you’ll hear in today’s episode, Myles started the podcast as a way to find a creative outlet.  He was at the corporate ladder with a six figure salary, but as he interviewed more and more incredible people, he hit his version of rock bottom. He wasn’t doing what he was passionate about, and it started to take its toll. He decided he didn’t want that anymore, and it was time to make a change. He was tired of being tired. So, Myles  quit his job, started a new career and never looked back. Less than 2 years after doing that he’s now a published author, TEDx speaker, and nationally-recognized podcaster. If he can do it, others can do it, too.

A former litigator turned career coach, Andrea helps lawyers and law students with professional development, career transitions, and holistic well-being. She is the creator and host of Career & Life Chats with Andrea, a YouTube channel that features the careers and lives of fulfilled lawyers.

In today’s episode, Andrea shares her story of homecoming, and coming into her own. A former litigator turned career coach and rule-following child of Taiwanese immigrants, Andrea spent most of her life striving and accomplishing, she walked well worn paths to success. When the going got tough, she forced her way through until it left her feeling exhausted, miserable and lost. Andrea started working with a career coach, and for the first time she found herself feeling curious and hopeful. Today, her life is night and day from before, with her external circumstances mirroring the internal shifts that keep going. Andrea’s story is one of self-expression, acceptance, and a powerful reminder to source our self-worth from within.

Gina Adams is an entertainment executive and the co-founder of COMMAND your CROWN and The 4M Method. This program has helped women all over the country who struggled with their health and weight finally achieve their goals. Gina has spent the last three decades in the entertainment industry as a dancer, choreographer, director and VP of an Entertainment Company. She produces the longest running show in Las Vegas & shows in multiple venues around the country as well as Internationally. Her performers have appeared on The Ellen Show, The Today Show, Entertainment Tonight, and many mor

Moving from behind the lights to behind the scenes she saw how women were struggling with their health as they moved into their 40s and beyond. She took her expertise as an athlete and teamed up with a nurse and nutritionist to develop a method that could work for every woman. The 4M Method has helped women all across the country keep accountable and achieve their goals.

In today’s episode, Gina shares her journey from working in the entertainment industry to co-founding COMMAND your CROWN. She’s spent her life doing something she’s totally passionate about, and as Gina shares that’s a real gift. Gina shares her experience with COVID, and what happened when she lost her career and her industry. She started to wonder, who am I? She lost her identity, and she had to find her joy again. During the middle of 2020, Gina joined forces with friends to create COMMAND your CROWN. As Gina shares, when you find a spark and allow yourself to follow it, there will be amazing rewards and opportunities that you might have never expected. Gina’s story is a powerful reminder that our stories are never over, they’re ever changing, and despite the hardship and tragedies of the past year, there are positive we can look for and hold on to, to keep us going.

Eesha Patel is an international channeler, speaker, author, healer, and spiritual mentor to world-class coaches, speakers, and entrepreneurs who are here to serve humanity and raise the vibration of the planet. Over the last 5 years, she has helped over 10,000 people to become leaders in the full spectrum of frequencies available in this planetary ascension. She is the founder of Origin Activation, a powerful multi-dimensional & energetic healing modality, which can discover limitless lifts in frequency causing spontaneous healing.

In today’s episode, Eesha shares her spiritual awakening triggered by leaving a relationship that she thought was everything she wanted, but the universe had other plans for her. She felt lighter, like something had been lifted, and in the coming weeks she started going deep in her meditation practice. Over night, she was able to start channeling and energy was moving through her. She knew she had to share these images, meditations, and guidance with other people. Eesha’s story of her spiritual awakening is a beautiful reminder that we’re often called to explore a pathway that’s unknown to us, but it’s an intuitive knowing and a soul calling we’re meant to follow. Throughout her journey, Eesha has learned that there’s something greater than us, and something beyond us that can help us to create a life that is perhaps even greater than what we’ve envisioned for ourself. Today, Eesha is helping people through energy healing and her work, Origin Activation. Eesha’s biggest message is that we’re not along in this universe, we’re always guided and connected.

Dena Rae is an intuitive energy healer and life purpose life coach, with a background as a creative director and teacher. In working with her clients 1:1, she’s blended energy healing and intuitive guidance to help them along on their journey, feel empowered and gain clarity on moving forward.

Wisdom Healings is an answer to a soul calling to help those who struggle with understanding how to get what they really want in life. For all those who want to transform into who they really are but fear the unknown. As Dena has moved through life, it took many hard years to break through her own fears and generational conditioning to take action on her soul calling of being a healer. Today, she helps guide her clients through their own unique process to blossom and walk through their own personal portal to transition to who they’ve always wanted to be.

With a unique blend of intuitive theta guidance and energy medicine as Healing Touch for the framework, Dena has combined a unique blend to bring the unknown to be known and shed light of insight and inspiration for you. These become your tools to work with and empower yourself to be your unique magical superhuman and walk this earth in your intended power. Through working with Dena, together you remove blocks and outdated mindsets to be replaced with new clarity and balanced energy.  By simply letting go and letting the guidance in, amazing results can happen.  When we ask for help, the answers reveal themselves.

In today’s episode, Dena shares her journey learning to tap into her own intuitive guidance and becoming a healer. She always wanted to help humanity in a deeper way, and it took some time to get to know herself on a more intimate level, and who she wanted to be in the world. Growing up, she was always the one in the group that people wanted to confide in and ask for advice, and one of the main things that would come up often was someone’s life purpose. For Dena, it was simply to follow what lights you up and to trust in the process of being led by your intuition and your guides. Easier said than done, but as Dena shares, every time we take a leap of faith we’re met with beautiful lessons, and a greater understanding of ourselves. Dena followed her interests, and let her intuition guide every step of the way, and one day she felt a calling to be a healer. Her soul said yes, but her ego was more hesitant. She quickly realized that healing is her true calling, and it became evident that she had to find a way to pursue it. Today, through her work with Wisdom Healings, Dena is helping others to move forward in life, encourage them to find their intuitive voice, shift out of old mindsets with love, and shift into healthier and more authentic version of ourselves.

Sandy Cowen has always been dedicated to the empowerment of others as an entrepreneur, community leader and expert on the holistic healing process. Now, an author and speaker, in her latest book, “HI MOMMA, IT’S ME” she shares her gift as a “reluctant medium”, which she kept hidden for more than thirty years. Prompted by her son’s passing, Sandy’s new work shares her story to help others find peace and even joy in the face of profound loss by being open to the concept that staying connected can actually occur.

In this episode, Sandy gets personal about her childhood, her challenging adult life and how the importance of friendships may have fueled her new life and expanded her friendships to people she never dreamed she’d meet. How to appreciate the joys of being connected, what their real purpose is in this life and how we can all enrich our daily experiences by being grateful for those who know us and love us, is inspirational. Sandy shares how love and gratitude can make the rewards of friendship surprising and help us expand the limited potential we might believe we have in staying connected to those we love.

Don Culp has been in the military for the past 23 years, and is married with 5 children. He entered the military at just 17 and a junior in high school. He completed basic training between his junior and senior year, and about a week after graduating high school he left to finish his AIT (advanced individual training). He had always wanted to be a pilot and fly, and in 2008 he found out they were selected to go to flight school. Today, Don is also a Flight Consultant on the civilian side teaching kids about STEM through Aerospace specifically related to flying.

In today’s episode Don candidly and vulnerably shares his family’s journey with his daughter Braelyn Aubrey. In 2008 when she was just six months old Braelyn started to show issues with minor eye deviations, and they soon came to find out that she was having seizures. In 2011 after Don graduated from flight school, he had to come home from his deployment in Iraq because Braelyn experienced another seizure and was taken to a local children’s hospital. This began a series of hospital visits, and after experiencing a stroke a portion of Braelyn’s brain was damaged. She started to show signs of improvement, and Don returned to his deployment. Braelyn had gone nine months without a seizure or hospital, but on a trip to Florida she had a seizure again.

On October 1, 2012, Don came home from work and saw that Braelyn was sick. As it got closer to bedtime he gave her a hug and she patted him on the back and kissed her goodnight, and told her that he loved her. As Don shares, he didn’t know that would be the last time he’d be able to do that. The next day when he was at work, Braelyn had passed away. As Don shares, his daughter had a fighting spirit, she never quit, and today he continues to work to emulate her no quit, joyful attitude.

Don started the Braelyn Aubrey foundation in her memory, and it’s through the foundation that he’s able to honor her, her memory, and help others like her. Today, Don and his family continue to honor Braelyn and her spirit. Don’s story is a beautiful reminder of the power of honoring the loved ones in our lives - their story and their memory - and just how important it is to make the most of our current situation. Don has learned he’s blessed beyond measure to have his wife and kids and to have had a child such as Braelyn in his life. Don’s biggest dream is to honor Braelyn’s memory and ensure her spirit lives on through all that he does.

To connect with Don and learn more about the Braelyn Aubrey Foundation you can reach out via email braelynaubreyfoundation@gmail.com

With his captivating and empowering style, Michael will leave people with the aspiration and inspiration to be better.

As a teenager, Michael was fortunate to receive guidance from positive adult role models who helped him overcome adversities and set high expectations for his future. Grateful for the role these mentors played in his own development, Michael decided to dedicate his professional life to helping people navigate the difficulties of life and launch their future into motion.

As a #1 international bestselling author, teacher and coach, Elle Hari is a Twin Flame and Ascension Alchemist who’s true purpose in life is guiding people on their Twin Flame journey— a transformation that reunites them with their Twin Flame and leads to self-love, joy, abundance and their soul’s highest calling.

After following her own Twin Flame journey, Elle left her job as a lawyer and began coaching students as they traveled theirs. As painful as her Twin Flame journey was, she wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. Without it, she wouldn’t have learned the Divine Truth of Creation, which is necessary to help people advance on their soul’s journey. Through her personal experiences and coaching, she’s developed revolutionary methods that help her students unconditionally love themselves at the deepest level possible. Elle’s students discover who they truly are, at the soul level, manifesting their greatest dreams by discovering and fulfilling their true soul's purpose.

Devoted to helping people overcome fear, pain and self-sabotaging limitations, she guides her students to their true nature of bliss and perpetual happiness. Her mission is driven by a passion to expand people’s knowledge and awareness of Twin Flames and assist humanity’s spiritual ascension on a global scale.

In today’s episode, Elle shares her journey of how her purpose found her. She started off her career as a lawyer, and over time she began to realize that it wasn’t her passion. At the same time she found herself divorced and a single mother, and there was part of her that was excited for her next chapter. She met someone new, and shortly after she found herself hitting rock bottom. She didn’t recognize herself anymore, she couldn’t function, and she recognized that something had to change. She found out that she was experiencing a twin flame journey, an awakening to get to know yourself on the deepest level possible, on the level of your soul, who you truly are. It’s a spiritual journey of unconditional and immense self-love. Elle’s own twin flame journey has inspired her to write a book and work with others to trust their own path, to trust their rock bottom, and discover their own inner truth.

Tabitha Babcock is the founder of Bquet of Word. Relationships can take work, but who said 'work' can't be a beautiful party. Bquet of Words is a resource to celebrate your friends in a vibrant way. Building better friendships can be joy-filled and beautiful.

In today’s episode Tabitha shares a piece of her story and how it came to be, and the inspiration behind Bquet of Word, a resource for your to build better friendships and champion your own people with intention. Tabitha runs towards things, her life is beautiful and full of joy. Her passion for sharing how to build better friendships helps bring beauty to others. Tabitha shares the importance of true friendship and community, especially for women, and that beauty truly means showing up for one another with  vulnerability and intention. As Tabitha shares, in society we place high importance on romantic relationships, but we seldom talk about the importance of deep and lasting friendships. Friendships take work, but 'work' can be celebratory, encouraging, and joy-filled. It’s her hope that we all have the opportunity to have authentic relationships, that we put in the ‘work’ to create a less isolated world.

Laura Formentini has always been a curious and empathic person. It is that sensitivity that has led her to travel the world and bring aid wherever she goes, be it in the form of raising funds to renovate an entire orphanage in Kenya, a run-down clinic in Malawi, or Co-Found an animal sanctuary in Sicily, Italy.  Laura is also a nonprofit photographer who has had the privilege of working with countless organizations around the world. Laura is a believer that Love in Action heals not only the world, but that it also holds the key to our own healing.

In today’s episode, Laura shares her journey to her work opening up the animal sanctuary, Rifugio Isola del Sole, and how love in action heals the heart. Her work in Sicily provides a sanctuary for animals, it’s a way of showing that where there is love, there is always life. While advocating travel to impact the world for positive global change, Laura turned into a child welfare activist and an advocate to prevent cruelty to animals.

Her philanthropic fundraising has taken place in Italy, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, and Puerto Rico. An archaeologist, conservationist, and photographer, Laura is also Vice President of Rifugio Isola del Sole, an animal sanctuary in Southern Italy, where she spearheads the free sterilization of street dogs and cats. Other causes she supports include––People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Mercy for Animals, Best Friends Animal Society, Kiva, Mercy for Animals, the ASPCA, and the LAV (Lega Anti-Vivisezione Italia).

Laura has also been sponsoring over 40 children around the globe through PlanUSA for the past 16 years. Born in Milan, Laura has lived in Italy, Missouri, Colorado, and California, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Archaeology and Art History from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Laura is honored to meet you here and excited you have a desire to learn more about taking action, what she callsLove in Action, to create a better world.

Shunia is a duo that combines addictive melodies, ancient chants and polycultural rhythms into a sound that feels both new and timeless. Their music captures and conveys deep energies and spirit. The state of "shunia" means stillness, receptivity. A stillness of power, not passivity. Shunia’s members, Lisa Reagan and Suzanne Jackson, combine their influences, inspirations and experiences to form genre-defying music with the power to transform and to connect you to the energy within and around you. It can put you in touch with something as simple as your five senses or as mysterious as the infinite.

Experience the music of Shunia, it will transport you.

In today’s new episode, Lisa Reagan shares her journey to Shunia through yoga and chanting, how she released control and allowed a magical world to open up before her, and how she and Suzanne came together. As Lisa so beautifully shares, she realized in the end there really is no other choice than to trust the process, and to let go and trust the higher intelligence that keeps this whole universe going. For Lisa, it meant to believe in something out there that was so great, that all she had to do was get out of the way and allow that intelligence to come through and guide her. Lisa’s story is a beautiful reminder of the power of releasing fear, allowing energy to flow through us, and what happens when we trust the sacred worlds that exist within. It’s this experience and this knowing that inspired Lisa to start the group Shunia, because she wanted to share this music with others and give them the gift of this magical tool of chanting and sound.

Reina Rose is an International Best Selling Author and host of the ROKU TV Show “Soul Nutrition”. She shares with readers and audiences alike the various ways of nourishing the soul. Digging deep into what truly satisfies the inner life.

Reina takes ancient wisdom and distills it into practical tools that modern audiences can easily implement. Covering topics from stress management and meditation to prayer and personal awareness, Reina leads her audiences on a journey towards personal and spiritual fulfillment.

Reina is also the author of Sin Tastes Good: Nourishing Your Soul in an Empty Calories World. Sin Tastes Good takes readers on an inward journey to discovering their very souls. Comparing this path of self-discovery with the body’s need for healthy nourishment, STG reminds readers that the ancient concept of sin simply means to miss the mark. It may look like a bellyache full of sticky sweet candy or a behavior that leaves us feeling empty and aching. STG helps readers ask new questions and consider different answers in search of inner fulfillment.

In today’s episode, Reina shares what it means to be a soul nutritionist, and how we can begin to nourish our souls to live a heaven on earth kind of life. Reina shares powerful tips to nourish our soul, and one of those tips is spending time in silence. When we allow ourselves to sit in silence, we clear the clutter of our mind and allow inspiration to come through. As we develop this practice, we can begin to hear more clearly the divine intelligence that is within all us. As Reina shares, what often comes from these moments of stillness is a moment of peace, and that sense of peace starts within the individual. It’s Reina’s mission to bring peace, one individual at a time, because if we are living heaven on earth, then we will change the world around us.

After struggling for years and losing both his company and his longtime girlfriend all in the same week, author Andrew Kap knew something had to change. And unless he found a way to bounce back, he’d never enjoy the life he worked so hard for. It was in that moment that he finally decided to give the Law of Attraction an honest try.

Within three months, he was in a healthier relationship than he had ever been. Within four, he was making more money than he ever had before. And within six, literally everything that was wrong in his life had finally gone right.

Antoinette Beauchamp is an empowerment mindset coach, speaker, author, and meditation teacher. As an ELI-MP certified professional coach, she inspires and challenges women to lead with passion, find balance, step into their power, and own who they were born to be.

Antoinette shares her story coming to her coaching work, and the impact she’s having on women, businesses, and female leaders. Antoinette knows that women have a drive in them that makes them so special, and it’s her mission to share it. Antoinette’s journey has been filled with highs and lows, and for a long time her negative thoughts, imposter syndrome, and playing small held her back. She realized that she could do it all, she could take that first step towards her dreams, and she just needed to try. That’s exactly what she did. There was no greater passion in her heart than living her purpose to help women transform their lives, and nothing could hold her back.

Sophia Lorena is the host of The Shit Show of My Twenties Podcast. She got furloughed for almost three months this year and decided to move past her limiting beliefs and start the podcast she always wanted to start. Since April, she has interviewed over 95 people and has released over 85 episodes. She is passionate about helping women get out of their own way and create the life they desire.

In today’s episode, Sophia shares her journey through the rollercoaster of 2020. From a horrific car accident, being furloughed from her job, to starting her podcast, it’s been a crazy year. If there’s one thing she’s taken from this year, it’s that this life is precious. After being furloughed from her job, Sophia realized in that moment that she had two choices, she can either go into a victim mindset, say why me, start emotional eating again gain a bunch of weight, maybe start drinking again, mope around the house and wait to go back to work. Or she could purse the creative projects that have always been calling her and see what happens. Sophia decided to go with the second option and she’s so grateful that she did. As Sophia so beautifully shares, when you hit a setback, when you lose your job and find yourself unemployed, it’s probably happening to you for a reason. Maybe the universe is showing you what you’re meant to do, maybe you’re being shown your gifts, and maybe, you’ll find yourself on the path you’re meant to walk on. Trust where you are and where you’re going, because there’s always something beautiful, inspiring, and hopeful that we can create from life’s messiest moments.

Phoebe Leona is the founder of nOMad always at OM, a collective global community of yogis, wellness practitioners, healers, travelers, and wanderers of all kinds.

In today's episode, Phoebe shares a story about a vow that her husband made to her to always keep her smiling, and her journey experiencing her smile and joy, on her terms. While there were (many) smiles throughout their marriage, it also wasn’t without its challenges. Phoebe quickly realized that by putting herself aside to be of service to others, she was repeating old patterns, and putting her life’s work, passions, and own life to the side.

Meet Amanda Joy! Joy seeker, connector, motivator, life coach and joy connoisseur! Amanda has made a career of helping people live happier and healthier lives from the inside out and has over 15 years of experience in marketing and coordinating health and wellness programs. Her true passion lies in helping people create the lives that they love. She is a certified NLP Life Course and hosts the Journey to Joy Podcast.

In today’s episode Amanda shares her journey from a people pleaser perfectionist, chronically fatigued and depressed, to finding her joy. She was living to check off boxes that she thought she was supposed to do. That life, the go go go, all led to darkness and depression. When Amanda experienced burnout she was just under 30 years old, and she really didn’t know what she was experiencing. She couldn’t sleep through the night, she didn’t have an appetite, and she was losing her hair. Finally Amanda had to surrender, and that’s when her healing journey began. She focused on self-care, nutrition, and healing herself, and she began her journey to joy.

Sharon Shannon, also known as the Faith Coach, is a Speaker, CEO of In Sharon's Heart, and Organizer of Women of Movement. Sharon helps emerging and aspiring faith-based women entrepreneurs build their online businesses using their God-given gift(s) in order to live a life of service and financial freedom.

Sharon focuses on online business coaching, consultation, and mentoring for women who are ready to take their business to another level by learning the tools that will make them successful. She helps women with their voice, faith, confidence, and grind (consistency in working smart). Her Faith Model enables women to use their gift(s) to build their empire. With faith, Sharon believes that you can start the process of doing the abundant things God has for you to do (James 2:17).

In today’s episode, Sharon shares her journey walking in faith. She realized that she wasn’t living her dreams. Instead, she was living for everyone else. Every time she got a little courage to do something outside of her comfort zone, she found herself becoming idle if anyone around her had an opinion about her next move. But one day Sharon got sick and tired of watching everyone else live their dreams, and she decided that she would build her business. She decided she was going to do it afraid, take chances, and start speaking her truth. Sharon’s story and journey will ask you to think about the gifts in your life, what may be holding you back from using them, and inspire you to take bold steps to walk in your path.

Ashley Surma is the co-founder of For The Good, created with the mission to help people maximize their potential to serve the world with purpose. For The Good is a community created for sharing uplifting messages and stories with the intention to inspire and impact people in a deeper, meaningful way.

After digging in, Ashley and her husband Jordan recognized how our mindset impacts the way we live our life - and in the way we react to what comes our way. As Ashley shares in this week’s new episode, through their experiences they’ve learned how important it is to have a strong mindset based on positivity and gratitude. Through For The Good, Ashley and Jordan strive to uplift people through the elevation of mindset - with the understanding that although we don't control what happens to us in life,  we do control how we respond. As Ashley so beautifully shares, when you realize the power to overcome anything that comes your way is already within you, you will feel an empowerment like never before.

In this week’s new episode Ashley opens up about the loss of her father, his struggle with addiction, the power of forgiveness, and how her experiences led to her purpose. As Ashely shares, most of us follow a path that has been laid out by culture, society, or our family's expectations. At the end of the day, it’s our decision and choice to create the life we want, and the kind of mindset we want to have. You can overcome any experience and obstacle, and through sharing her story and For The Good, Ashley is on a mission to empower others to discover their purpose in difficult times too.

Dr. Nicole Theron Parkes is a dance witch and trauma-healing dance coach. She believes that unresolved trauma is the root cause of most struggles and issues in today’s world. She also believes that it is possible to heal from trauma and go on to live a happy, gorgeous life of your choosing. She herself, is living proof!

Nicole works to help people heal their traumas and fall in love with who they are, through the process of healing, soul-guided dance. When not working on her business, BodyLove Dance, you can find her at the beach, reading a book, having a dance party, and snuggling with her dog, Hope.

In today’s new episode, Nicole shares her passion and love for dancing and writing. She shares two beautiful poems and a dance flow. Her first poem is called “Build Me a Castle” and her second “Again”. In many ways, her poetry is an exploration of our inner child. As Nicole shares, when she looks at her younger self and loves on her, she’s reminded that there are no limits. Nicole walks us through a beautiful and healing dance flow, encouraging us to move as if we’re already healed, to dance with our shadows, and a knowing that it’s safe to receive the gifts of this movement.

Alexandra Spergel is the CEO and founder of The Nomad's Direction - a company that creates personalized, custom made travel itineraries to fit each type of traveler. Alexandra's story of pursuing her own philosophy of yes will inspire you to follow your passions and joy and choose you, all while updating your passport and booking your next trip ASAP.

Alexandra takes us through her journey of solo travel around the world, what she's learned along the way, the strength she discovered in herself, and she's been able to turn her love for travel into a successful business. She also shares with us the importance of surrounding yourself with other women who are growing, expanding, and stepping out on their own to create their dreams. She's created her own timeline, set her own path, and her story will leave you feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to hit the ground running.

Dr. Lise Deguire is a clinical psychologist in private practice for over 20 years. The lone surviving child of unsettled and iconoclastic parents, she grew up all over New Jersey and Long Island. Following a horrific fire where she suffered burns on two-thirds of her body, she spent much of her childhood alone in a Boston hospital, undergoing countless surgical procedures.

In today’s episode Dr. Lise shares her incredible story of resilience. After being trapped in a horrific fire at the age of four, Dr. Lise endured third-degree burns on two-thirds of her body. Her neck, chin and lower lip were melted away, and her upper arms were fused to her torso. Dr. Lise’s story is one of survival and overcoming tremendous odds to forge a happy ending. Through her story and her new memoir, it’s Dr. Lise’s hope that she can bring comfort and inspire others who suffer deeply. As Dr. Lise shares, life can be brutal but we can overcome challenges - have hope, and keep going.

Chelsea Cahill is a native New Yorker who has found her passion with Brow Sculpting and Microblading. Born with tweezers in her hand, professionally she has been sculpting brows for over 4 years. Growing up she her mother would tell her inspirational stories about the connections she made with her clients, and Chelsea has always been more than excited to choose this path as her career.

Chelsea joins us to share her story with mental health, and how she’s continued to put her health and wellness first. After graduating from high school, Chelsea made the move to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of being an actor. Upon graduating, she was hit with the harsh reality of what life is like as a 20 year old in one of the most challenging cities, pursuing one of the most challenging careers. She faced many trials and tribulations, and she learned many life lessons. Chelsea’s honesty and vulnerability in this episode will remind you of the power of being our own advocate, honoring who we are and how we feel, and the importance of putting our mental health first.

Eden Busani is the founder of Meraki, a lifestyle brand founded to empower other women around the world! They pride themselves with "becoming" your modern guide to a better lifestyle. As a growing community, they help guide you on how to find your purpose, attract positive energy to your life and live with inner peace.

In today’s episode, Eden shares her journey of transformation to freedom, after hitting rock bottom, with the power of writing. She shares how a family friend helped her see the light in the darkness through the power of writing. She was told to take out a piece of paper and write down everything that’s holding her back. Eden had nothing to lose, and she took out a notebook and wrote out all of her shame, negative self-talk, and poured her vulnerability out on the paper. Eden knew there was a purpose to her pain, and she was determined to see this exercise through to the end. As she stood over the fire pit and watched the words in that notebook burn, she knew she was reborn in that moment. As Eden so beautifully shares, you can’t move forward if you don’t let go of the past, and the key to your healing is in letting go, and allowing yourself to live.

Andy Chaleff is a mentor and advisor to business leaders, entertainers, and non-profit organizations that are changing the future of education and parenting. He’s also an author who recently released his second novel, The Wounded Healer, giving readers real-life tools to combat negative thoughts that wreak havoc on their physical and emotional well-being. Published by Koehler Books, The Wounded Healer is available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and Audible.

In today’s episode, Andy shares an excerpt from his new book, The Wounded Healer. Andy’s words carry a powerful message of radical self-love. Andy shares his journey to self-love and self-acceptance, and it all started with pushing beyond his comfort zone. He would no longer allow vulnerability to close him off. It all began the day after his wedding in 2017. He decided to write a book, and little did he know that his reflections would turn into hundreds of pages of notes on his iPhone. He relieved every meaningful moment, and paid special attention to the moments filled with shame, guilt and pain. The writing turned into its own healing process. Andy exposed and ultimately accepted, the parts of him that were hiding in the shadows. Through his writing, cross-country journey, and reflections, Andy shares how radical self-love radically changed his experience in the world.

Nataleen Henry is the creator of Butterflies - Broken Wings can Fly Again, a support group and resource that brings awareness to other women and men who have gone through rape, sexual abuse, or domestic violence. In this week’s new episode, Nataleen shares her story of transformation from ashes to beauty. She candidly shares her story of being raped at age 16, and how the pain, blame and shame took a toll on her self-confidence and self-esteem. Two years later, at the age of 18, she found herself in a toxic and abusive relationship that altered the direction of her life, and ultimately brought her back to a space of self-love and self-compassion.

Nataleen’s reflections on domestic violence will remind you that age, gender, level of education, and social background don’t matter when it comes to sexual abuse and domestic violence, and that it can happen to anyone. Her words on her own experience will remind you to approach others with compassion and understanding, rather than judgment and criticism. Her courage to take a leap of faith and bravely trust her instincts to leave that relationship will remind you that we’re so much stronger than we think. Nataleen’s choice to move away from that abusive relationship wasn’t easy, and during this week’s episode she shares with us that at one point she had to take out a restraining order. Her decision to no longer stay in a negative and abusive space allowed her to reclaim her life, and begin to build it step by step. Her words on how there is a light out of every dark tunnel will remind you that when we take the steps to begin to empower ourselves, anything is possible if we hold on to faith, trust, and hope.

Kate Farrell believes in the power of story. A graduate of the School of Library and Information Studies, UC Berkeley. She has been a language arts classroom teacher (pre-school and grades kindergarten through 12th), author, librarian, university lecturer, and storyteller in Northern California since 1966.

In today’s episode, Kate shares an adaptation from her latest book, Story Power: Secrets to Creating, Crafting, and Telling Memorable Stories. Kate has always learned from challenges in her life, many of them continue to inspire her. As Kate shares, though trials make life difficult, they make the best stories. We can learn from one another’s stories, be encouraged, and take heart.

Sade Cutler has possessed a heart to empower people in many areas of life. After a long journey to find a career helping and empowering others she eventually stumbled upon Social Work “the helping profession for empowerment”. As a child, Sade attended Baltimore City Public Schools in Baltimore, Maryland -where she was born and raised. She later graduated from Coppin State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and an elective cluster in social and biological courses. Shortly after graduating from undergraduate school, Sade went on to receive her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Social Work advance standing program.

Sade joins us to share her story from struggling with infertility, to having her son, and the life threatening complications that almost took her life, and that of her child. Sade’s story is one of overcoming great obstacles and adversity, and a reminder of the power of the human spirit and hope.

Lucy Liu is a certified life coach helping women in life transitions unstuck, beat overwhelm, see clarity, reach new goals, live a happier fulfilling life and thrive! She is an unshakable optimist, wife, mother, easy-going entrepreneur, women empowerment workshop facilitator, motivational speaker and now makes it her passion to help other women rewrite their life story.

She also inspires as the host of her weekly podcast The Lucy Liu Show and has been featured in Medium, VoyageLA, Elephant Journal and ThriveGlobal.

In today’s episode, Lucy shares her story facing her fears and limiting beliefs, shifting her mindset, and believing in herself. Growing up in a traditional Chinese family, she was living the life of her parents. They had wonderful jobs in China, and gave up everything to come to the United States with high hopes for a better education for Lucy. She excelled, and through her self-development journey she’s discovered true happiness and her why. Through breaking her limiting beliefs, Lucy launched her podcast to show others that we’re all unique, we are all important, and even if we help just one person, we’ve done our part to create an impact, and a better world.

Sheila Mac, the parent of 6 beautiful, now grown up children, is known as the Lifestyle REBOOT specialist with a passion for helping others succeed. For over 25 years Sheila has been a leader at helping people to BREAKTHROUGH using the Boots Formula© and take their lives to another level through solid lifestyle consulting, and accountability programs.

In today’s episode, Sheila shares her journey from experiencing all of life’s hardest challenge, including homelessness, abuse and losing everything in a house fire, to inspiring others through her resilience and determination to gain back control of her own life. She shares her BOOTS formula (Being, Orientation, Order of Operations, Thinking, and Stepping Up) to get through any tough situation in life, too. Today, Sheila consults individuals, teaches online courses and is a nationally recognized speaker who has made it her mission to guide others with similar life experiences back to empowerment.

Dominique Mas is a coach for high performers, working with a variety of people including leaders, entrepreneurs, and aspiring founders.Originally from France, Dominique has lived and worked in 7 countries across Europe, Asia and the U.S. After 15 years in Educational Leadership in international schools, she decided to jump in start a personal coaching practice for professionals as well as design and facilitate private and corporate workshops. When she is not working, Dominique can be found surfing with her boyfriend in the Rockaways or walking Professor, their wonderful dog.

In today’s new episode, Dominique shares her story of realizing that something in her life was off. She no longer felt connected to herself, and she realized that she was no longer working towards something that was important to her. Her story of changing careers at 40 will remind you that it’s important to take time for introspection, to reconnect with yourself, your values, and your joy. Yes she was overwhelmed by the realization and knowing that it was time to make a shift - but she trusted her instincts to move on. She took time to explore and decide what her next steps would be. Her willingness to keep going and to go for it - will remind you that anything is possible when you allow yourself to dream and believe that there is more for you.

Elianor Marissa, better known as Elianor M.A., is an American-Lebanese novelist and screenwriter. Her debut novel, Transcendent is available on the Amazon Kindle Store, published on December 1, 2018. Her first screenplay, Just Like Old Times was honored at the Los Angeles Film Awards in September 2019 and the International New York Film Festival in June 2020. Her TV pilot, Halves and Quarters, made it to the Quarterfinalist round of the Screencraft Pilot Launch Competition. Her memoir Dealing with Dramedies is set to be released in December 2020.

In today’s episode, Elianor shares her journey from her diagnosis, to writing her new book, Dealing with Dramedies. Elianor felt herself drowning in the drama of her health crisis, but she didn’t want her drama to define her. Instead, she chose to define it. Elianor realized she didn’t need to wait to be the hero of her story. Instead of focusing on what was going wrong in her life, Elianor focused on what she was doing right, and following her passion for storytelling. As Elianor shares, no matter who you are, or where you come from, or how different your circumstances may be from those around you, drama will find you! But it’s up to you to use it as your driving your force, instead of your deterrent. There is no set way to deal with your dramedy.

Lacey Nagar is a confidence & visibility coach, author, and mentor who believes that women can create the business, career, and lifestyle of their dreams while doing only what they love, and enjoying the journey along the way. Her focus is on visibility - because Lacey knows first-hand just how important it is to put ourselves out there and share our message, gifts, and healing with the world.

In today's episode, Lacey shares her journey being diagnosed with a chronic, progressive muscle disorder at the age of 12. She felt like she was in a bad dream - she wasn’t comfortable with herself, or her body. She tried for years to hide that was anything was wrong with her - she didn’t want the attention that came with being “different.” She was told that over time she wouldn’t be able to walk - it was her willpower, and mindset, that kept her going. Lacey candidly shares the obstacles that her body goes through daily, and her courage in being vulnerable will remind you that we are so much more than our circumstances. Her reflections on struggling with worthiness - and how she wrapped herself so deeply in the messages she was telling herself - will remind you that you are worthy, just as you are. It will also challenge you to reflect on your journey, and just how far you’ve come with your own sense of worthiness, compassion, and love.

Sarah Menlove is a Certified Mastery level coach through the Health Coach Institute. She specializes in body image and intuitive eating last, helping clients around the world break free from body shame and restrictive eating to live their most bold, authentic lives. Sarah combines principles of intuitive eating, health at every size, self compassion, transformational coaching techniques and energy healing to support her clients to re-build trust with their body and themselves.

In today’s episode, Sarah shares her journey into health coaching, and how sustaining a stress fracture changed her life, for the better. She shares three of the most powerful things she learned during this time, and how she found herself and her joy.

Anza Goodbar is an empowerment coach, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur. She uses her coaching, speaking, and writing to inspire, empower, and challenge women to elevate their lives - and that's exactly what she does in this month's episode.

In today’s episode, Anza shares her story of self-acceptance through overcoming negative body image and difficulty with her weight, combined with wanting to be invisible in order to ensure that she'd be safe after experiencing sexual abuse as a child. Through her own journey, Anza has developed a passion and a love for working with women who are committed to living out their dreams, but may lack the confidence to ask for what they want. She helps them really go for it - the same way she has in her own life.

Gia Duke is a life coach, speaker and author with a heart 10x the size of Texas, so some have said. Not to mention a soon to be podcaster, nonprofit founder, and foster youth and rescue pup advocate. She’s also the author of Get Your Heart On: The How-To Guide for People Who Want to Make a Difference. 

In today’s episode, Gia shares her journey working to make a difference in the world from a space of heart, compassion, and determination to make it happen. Gia shares with us her love and passion to help people, who want to help people, take action to make a difference in the world. Gia’s goal is to inspire people to think about how we’re all connected and to remind them that most of us really want the same things. To love and be loved. To feel like we matter. She’s on a mission to brighten the world by creating more love, compassion, and understanding, and in this week’s new episode she offers her top tips to take care of ourselves, while taking care of others.

Kesha Austin is an empowerment coach for millennial women, and she specializes in individual, family and group coaching. She has a unique, engaging & highly effective approach to help people dig deep to discover their true potential. She’s dedicated to helping women discover their true purpose & learn to overcome adversity in the process.

In today’s episode Kesha profoundly and vulnerably shares her story of overcoming adversity to find joy, peace and fulfillment. We’re all meant to learn from our experiences, and Kesha’s reflections on her decisions and the impact they’ve had on her life will remind you that each stage in our journey is there for a process. Kesha’s refections surrounding  overcoming abuse and trauma, eviction and losing her car, will remind you of the power in surrender. Over time she moved from being a homeless mother of two children to becoming an assistant VP at one of the nation’s leading financial institutions. Her decision to open herself up to new opportunities, to trust in the path that is here for her to follow, and what she’s built and created for herself and her family along the way, will remind you of the power of allowing yourself to fly.

Jesmane Boggenpoel is the author of My Blood Divides and Unites: Race, Identity, Reconciliation. In her new book, Jesmane explores the importance of dealing with the past and moving forward with purpose.

Jesmane’s story is one of identity and heritage. Born into poverty and state-mandated third-class status, Jesmane was weighed down by self-doubt, feelings of inferiority and shame. “Who am I really?” - is a question we all often ask ourselves, and it’s a  powerful question that Jesmane poses in this week’s new episode. She grew up in South Africa during the Apartheid, and in this week’s new episode she shares her struggles with identity, and how through exploring her early life, embracing the difficulties that surrounded her upbringing, and ultimately crafting a new narrative for herself - she’s been able to bring about greater acceptance, inclusion, and boundless possibility.

Fiona Joy Hawkins is a mainstream Composer/Pianist/Vocalist with an international following, whom she greets weekly with pandemic-inspired, live-streamed concerts.

In today’s episode, Fiona shares her journey finding music, and the role of the piano in shaping her life. When Fiona was diagnosed with Tourette’s, she realized that it’s often our weaknesses that give us strength. Having Tourette’s taught her about life, and it made her stronger. The piano, and music, became her best friend and comfort. Fiona believes that music is a gift from another world, from ancestors of the past communicating to inspire and give us hope. As Fiona shares, music is a universal language that connects us, speaks to us equally, and yet it’s received by all differently. Fiona’s wish is to open more hearts to the power of music.

Sandra Shaw Homer has lived in Costa Rica for 29 years, where she has taught languages and worked as a translator and environmental activist. For several years she wrote a regular column, "Local Color," for the English-language weekly, The Tico Times.

Marilyn Kapp is a renowned spiritual medium and Author of LOVE IS GREATER THAN PAIN: Secrets From the Universe For Healing After Loss.

In today’s episode, she shares her first experience at just two years old communicating with those who passed, her journey channeling and embracing being a medium, and the inspiration behind her new book, “Love is Greater than Pain.” Marilyn reveals the beauty in the transition from the physical to the spiritual plane, helping those who are dying, as well as those left behind. With personal stories and transcripts from channeling sessions, Marilyn teaches us how to interact with the afterlife and to joyfully embrace the reality that love truly is greater than pain.