Recounting Life Lessons: Recent Episodes

View Details

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Sione and Alana sit down with Eunice Atuejide to explore what it truly means to choose joy, lead with love, and live fully no matter what the circumstances.

Eunice is a lawyer, mother, transformational coach, public speaker, former Nigerian presidential candidate, and the author of Happiness is Free!!! Her life has been impacted by profound hardship, high-level leadership, and a near-death experience that completely transformed how she approaches happiness, purpose, and perspective.

She shares how detaching from outcomes, embracing present-moment living, and leading from a place of love have allowed her to experience joy even through loss, pain, and uncertainty. Eunice's story is a powerful reminder that happiness isn't something we achieve, it's something we choose through how we see life and respond to it.

Together, they discuss radical self-acceptance, resilience, and how adversity can become a tool for growth when we stay open, hopeful, and willing to learn. This conversation invites listeners to rethink where joy comes from and how it's available, even in the middle of life's hardest moments.

Stick around until the end, where Alana highlights key life lessons from Eunice's story and reflects on how choosing perspective, love, and focus can shape a life of greater joy and meaning.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Eunice's journey through hardship. leadership, and a near-death experience
• Why happiness isn't tied to achievements or outcomes
• How detaching from results creates joy in the journey
• The power of present-moment living and intentional choice
• Turning adversity into growth, insight, and purpose

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Eunice Atuejide's website: https://happinessisfree.uk/
• Get Happiness Is Free!!! at https://amzn.to/4rWlUW0 (using this link will also support the podcast)
• Follow Alana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema/

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public, become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Sione and Alana sit down with author Darius Cache to explore his journey of transformation, accountability, and conflict resolution.

Darius has faced enormous challenges, including time in jail, struggles with substance use, and navigating difficult environments.

He shares how he got sober, changed his surroundings, and committed to helping others make better choices. His story is a powerful reminder that real change is possible, no matter where you start, and that our choices can ripple out to impact the people around us.

They discuss accountability, empathy, and understanding the factors that shape behavior, as well as how these insights can improve conflict resolution and strengthen meaningful connections.

Stick around until the end, where Alana highlights practical takeaways from Darius's journey and how you can apply them in your own life to make positive change and leave a lasting impact.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How Darius transformed his life after incarceration and substance use
• The power of responsibility and committing to change
• Why your environment shapes behavior and the role of empathy
• How positive choices create ripples in your life and the lives of others
• Practical lessons for conflict resolution and personal growth

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Darius Cache: https://www.dariuscache.com/

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public, become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Sione and Alana sit down with author Darrow Kirkpatrick to explore the life lessons behind his powerful memoir, Two Sticks, One Path: A Journey Beyond Fear on the Colorado Trail. Darrow is an early-retired civil and software engineer with a lifelong passion for outdoor adventure.

Over six years, he section-hiked the rugged, almost 500-mile Colorado Trail—one of the highest and most demanding long-distance trails in the United States. And he did it while managing significant physical limitations, hiking on specialized forearm crutches, and working through lifelong anxiety and the lingering effects of past mental health struggles.

Darrow's book, Two Stick, One Path, weaves together things like high-stakes climbing stories from Yosemite, the tension between personal goals and family life, spiritual growth through meditation, and the reality of pushing through fear when the mountains and life feel overwhelming.

In our conversation, we talk about preparation, mindfulness, and how we sometimes kill our courage worrying about things that could happen, even though they probably won't. We also talk about how choosing to face difficulty on purpose helped him retrain his mind, rebuild confidence, and reshape the way he sees his life and capabilities.

And you'll want to stick around until the end where Alana highlights and talks about several powerful takeaways from Darrow's story that can help you navigate and manage your own fears with more confidence, move forward with greater courage, and see your path with more clarity.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• What Darrow Kirkpatrick learned while hiking the almost 500-mile Colorado Trail with forearm crutches
• How he worked through lifelong anxiety and fear on the trail
• Why worrying about unlikely dangers can hold us back
• The difference between healthy and wise preparation and overthinking
• How meditation and mindfulness supported his journey
• Practical lessons and success principles for building courage and confidence in everyday life

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Darrow's website: https://trailmemoir.com/
• Get Two Sticks, One Path: https://amzn.to/4oClGRg (using this link will support this channel as well as Jamal at no extra cost to you)

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public, become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we're joined by Jamal Henry, a first-time homeowner at 23, investor, and author of Keys to Your 20s: The Ultimate Homebuyer Playbook for Young Adults. Jamal's journey began with the same questions many young adults face: Who am I? Where am I going? How do I navigate life on my own?

His search for answers led him deep into personal development, studying success, developing routines, and learning how to stretch beyond his comfort zone. Those habits and mindsets eventually laid the foundation for achievements like buying a home at such a young age.

This conversation goes far beyond homeownership or finances. You'll walk away with universal success principles that can support any goal, in any stage of life.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How practicing gratitude can shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance.
• Why consistency and discipline are critical for building momentum and long-term progress
• The importance of investing in yourself before opportunities arrive
• How accountability puts you in the driver's seat of your own life
• Practical ways to build habits and routines that prepare you for success
• Information about the NACA program for buying a home
• How Jamal was able to save $28k in a year and buy his first home at 23 yrs old
• How these principles apply to personal growth, career development, and any big goal

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Jamal's website: https://keystoyour20s.com/
• Get Keys to Your 20s: https://amzn.to/48orqc8 (using this link will support this channel as well as Jamal at no extra cost to you)
• Instagram: @mr_royality0
• X: @mr_royality0
• Tik Tok: keystoyour20s

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public, become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

What would you do if a car accident left you with a scar across your face?

That's exactly what happened to Peculiar Medinus, a Nigerian author, career coach, and former journalist, and it led her to ask one life-changing question: "What does ugly mean to you?"

In this conversation, Peculiar shares the lessons and experiences that shaped her journey and how she came to see beauty from God's perspective.

Alana also shares some insights and lessons on how the meanings of the words we hear and use shape our reality, where those meanings come from, and how to choose meanings that will empower us.

If you've ever struggled with the way you see yourself or in finding the beauty in your life's journey, this episode is for you.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why defining ugliness as harmful choices, and not just appearance, shifts everything
• The inner virtues that reveal true beauty
• The personal story behind What Ugly Means to You, and how a scar became a symbol of survival and purpose
• How to see beauty through God's perspective and embrace authenticity without hiding your light

LINKS MENTIONED:

• Peculiar's website: https://peculiarpages.co.uk/
• Get What Does Ugly Mean here: https://amzn.to/44b8oUa

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public, become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

What if the way we think about addiction is part of the problem?

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we're joined by Jeff Jones, coach, creator of The Family Recovery Solution, and former addiction professional. Jeff grew up in a family impacted by addiction and later worked inside the system designed to treat it—only to discover its deep limitations, stigmas, and blind spots. His personal and professional experiences inspired him to reimagine how families can become stronger than addiction by shifting mindsets, improving communication, and embracing curiosity instead of control.

This conversation goes far beyond addiction. You'll walk away seeing how "both/and" curiosity thinking can open up new ways to approach challenges in your relationships, your mindset, and even the way you consume media and understand world issues.

IN THIS EPISODE: * Why traditional approaches to addiction and recovery often fall short—and what families can do differently * How language, stigma, and shame can unintentionally limit healing and connection * The power of "both/and curiosity thinking" to reduce black-and-white thinking and open space for more creative, compassionate solutions * How shifting from judgment to curiosity transforms communication and relationships * The ripple effect of applying these principles to your own mindset, your family, and even how you interpret media, politics, and world events * How understanding multiple perspectives helps you grow, connect, and make more empowered choices in every area of life

RESOURCES MENTIONED * Jeff's Website: The Family Recovery Solution * Free 3 Step Guide to Disrupt Addiction: https://gift.thefamilyrecoverysolution.com * LinkedIn: Jeff Jones on LinkedIn * Substack: JeffJones@substack.com

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public, become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

What does true health, wealh, and wellness really look like?

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Sione and Alana sit down with Boomer Anderson, CEO of Smarter Not Harder, Inc., and executive director of Health Optimization Medicine and Practice.

After receiving an unexpected heart-disease diagnosis in his early thirties, despite doing everything "right", Boomer discovered more about what truly matters in wellness and in living a life that goes beyond the appearance of health, wealth, and success.

Tune in to hear Boomer recount his health and wellness journey; what it was like, what it taught him, and the lessons he learned about achieving real health and a more balanced life beyond appearances.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why looking healthy and fit isn't the same as being healthy
• Why external success isn't enough to bring lasting peace of fulfillment
• The wake-up call that changed Boomer's view of success and self-care
• The difference between treating illness and nurturing whole-person wellness in healthcare
• Simple habits that address health care and health management
• What it means to "stress well" and find calm in the midst of pressure
• How presence and gratitude can renew the way we live each day
• Practical ways to optimize your health with small and simple behaviors and habits
• The greatest lesson that Boomer feels he's learned from life thus far

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Smarter Not Harder, Inc.: https://troscriptions.com
• Health Optimization Medicine and Practice (HOMe/HOPe): https://homehope.org
• Connect with Boomer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boomeranderson
• Connect with Boomer on Instagram: @boomerSNH

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public, become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Sione and Alana sit down with Sue Erhart, author of Lose Your Critic for Good and the creator of Practical Spirituality, to uncover what it takes to quiet our inner critics and live a life that is full of more joy and empowerment.

Sue is someone who shares practical tools and wisdom for creating your best life, and in this episode, she shares the experience that started the journey to finding out why she prioritized the expectations of others over her own inner needs, why reaching her goals left her unfulfilled, and what whe discovered along the way.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• The difference between goals that drain you and those that propel you forward
• The truth about success that most people miss
• Why chasing external achievements often leaves you feeling unfulfilled (and what to do instead).
• How to reframe obligations and expectations so they fuel joy instead of stress.
• A simple yet powerful tool Sue uses daily to orient the mind to seeing the good, wonderful, and accomplishments of each day
• A surprising and powerful self-love practice people rarely talk about

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Explore Sue's work at: https://www.sueerhart.com
• Grab a copy of Lose Your Inner Critic for Good at: https://amzn.to/4pfY6Lz (using this link will supoort this podcast with a small comission at no extra cost to you)
• Sign up for our email list to be the first to know when our Backstage Pass Membership launches at: http://www.recountinglifelessons.come/insider

A FEW GOLDEN NUGGETS FROM THE CONVERSATION:

• Being hard on yourself only gets you so far, and if you really want to soar and do big things, you've go to dismantle that critic.
• When you tap into your inner essence and start doing things driven by want, passion, interest, and curiosity, it's like jet propulsion versus sitting there saying, "I have to"
• We've been conditioned to adopt goals based on external cues and expectations over inner wants, often realizing too late that they don't bring fulfillment
• We all have obligations and responsibilities, but the words we use and how we frame them will affect our experience
• Use a logbook to record the good, the wonderful, and the done throughout your day instead of a traditional to-do list
• The inner critic shows up in many ways: self-criticism, playing small, settling, conforming, or putting everyone else first.
• The only one who can do the job of self-love for you is you

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public, become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

Setbacks are something we all face, but there are some people who just know how to use those setbacks to grow and become even better versions of themselves. One person who embodies this ability to turn setbacks into growth is Dr. Jean-Guilmond Orelien, also known as Sammy.

Sammy is the author of Turning Water into Butter: Living the Power Within, and he has dedicated his life to advancing solutions that improve human well-being.

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Sione and Alana sit down with Sammy and talk about how his upbringing in Haiti and Guadalupe and moving to the United States shaped his perspective on what it really means to thrive despite challenges. They also talk about how to pursue what you want without limitations and how to build resilience along the way.

His story takes us beyond the idea of "making the best of what you've got" into what he calls the ultimate alchemy: transforming not just your stuff and circumstances, but the person you are becoming along the way.

Listen now if you're ready to transform your life and who you are becoming despite your circumstances.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why true transformation is about who you become, not just changing what's around you.
• Lessons from Sammy after revisiting Haiti after the 2010 earthquake
• How to reframe setbacks as essential training grounds for resilience and growth
• Why limiting beliefs are often "be-lies" that hold us back, and how to replace them with empowering truths.
• What to do when your physical environment doesn't support your dreams.
• Why gratitude, imagination, and faith can open doors
• How to shift from fear and control to freedom and courage when facing uncertainty

A FEW GOLDEN NUGGETS:

• Ultimate Alchemy isn't about stuff, it's about the transformation of ourselves.
• Give yourself permission to laugh and have fun even when things are stressful and dire
• Be careful not to limit your perspective of what's possible
• When you fight something, it's more likely to stay
• Many of our most significant examples of transformation occur internally, and it takes time for that transformation to manifest in our circumstances and physical possessions.
• The benefits of some beliefs may expire and turn into stories we continue to tell ourselves that are holding us back and limiting our growth.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Sammy's Book: Get Turning Water into Butter: Living the Power Within at https://amzn.to/4moZQjC to support this show at no extra cost to you
• Sammy's Website: https://watertobutter.com/
• Join our free Insider Email List for updates + early access to our upcoming Backstage Pass Membership: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public, become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

Most people don't get what they want because they are too attached to how they think it should happen.

Letting go of the "how" doesn't mean giving up. What it does mean is finally getting out of your own way.

In this episode, Alana talks with Susi Kos, entrepreneur and author of Super Synchronicity. In their discussion, Susi talks about how she turned self-doubt, rock-bottom moments, and "crazy" dreams into real success by learning to tune out the noise and trust herself. They get into how she built a 6-figure jewlery business with zero experience, "luck" twists that tossed the plan out the window but led to better results, and what it really takes to feel aligned and in sync with your next steps.

This episode is for anyone who's tired of overthinking, overexplaining, and still not seeing the results you're wanting.

If you're someone who has a big vision but feels stuck, tired, or unsure of what to do next, this conversation is full of insights and experiences that will speak to you.

Tune in to hear what Susi shares regarding the mindset and energy shifts that helped her go from overwhelmed and desperate to clear, confident, and living the life of her dreams.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• The real reason letting go of "how" opens the door to opportunity
• How to tell the difference between intuition and fear
• Why trusting yourself helps you make decisions faster (and better)
• What synchronicity is and how to become more open to it
• How to spot the patterns of self-sabotage hiding in your routines
• A simple mental exercise to break free from overplanning and overthinking
• Susi's exact process for shifting her energy and attracting aligned results
• How she manifested a six-figure business and her ideal partner
• Why your mindset, not your circumstances, is usually the problem
• How to create your own personal frequency formula to reset and refocus daily

A FEW GOLDEN NUGGETS:

• It's not about your past or what others think, it's about your own inner reality.
• Trusting yourself means making a decision, even when it doesn't make sense to anyone else
• The how is never your job. Your job is the feeling, the frequency, and the belief.
• You don't have to rewire every old belief. You just have to overwrite the ones holding you back.
• Your future self already knows. Tune into that version of you and trust what it says.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Susi's Book: Get Super Synchronicity here --> https://amzn.to/3HnPtgM (using this link will also support our show with no extra cost to you)
• Website: https://supersynchronicity.com/en/
• Susi on Instagram: @super.synchronicity

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public, become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we’re sitting down with Paul Cooke—a writer, academic, and former cult member who spent nine years in the Children of God, a group he later recognized as dangerously manipulative and deceptive. After a 40-year journey of reflection, healing, and writing, Paul recently completed a memoir about his experience and now shares his story to help others recognize how easily any of us can be misled under the right conditions.

This conversation isn’t just about cults—it’s about clarity, courage, and reclaiming trust in your own discernment. Whether it’s a relationship, belief system, organization, or opportunity that turns out to be something different than you thought, Paul’s story offers timeless, hard-won lessons that can help you avoid the emotional toll of misplaced trust.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• The subtle tactics that made a well-intentioned young man give up everything to join a cult
• How even smart, faith-driven people can get misled, and how to spot the red flags of deception and control to protect yourself
• The emotional toll of breaking free from a high-control group or relationship and how to start healing
• Why "trust but verify" is critical in making sound judgements
• What NOT to do when someone you love gets caught up in something destructive
• How manipulation works in everyday life (not just cults) and how to protect your confidence and clarity
• How real love, community, and grace helped Paul reclaim his freedom and confidence

A FEW GOLDEN NUGGETS;

1. Don't assume you're above being manipulated: Anyone can be vulnerable to deception and manipulation, especially during times of pain, transition, or isolation. Stay vigilant, ask questions, and seek trusted counsel before making major commitments.
2. Distance can create space for clarity: Sometimes the best thing you can do is step back. Time away from group ideologies, influence, or pressure can restore your confidence in your own resoning and values.
3. Manipulators isolate to control: Be mindful of any person or ideology that encourages you to cut off communication with trusted friends, family, or diverse viewpoints. Isolation often precedes control.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Learn more about Paul, his memoir, devotionals, and stories at: www.pauldavidcooke.com

Read a chapter from Paul's memoir and learn more about how cults operate at: www.makingsenseofcults.com

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public, become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

What if your deepest regret could become the very thing that heals you—and helps someone else heal too?

In this raw and unforgettable episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we sit down with actor, artist, and soon-to-be debt author Sean Hemeon, who just celebrated 20 years of sobriety. Sean's real-life story reads like a Hollywood script—complete with addiction, cartel connections, federal agents, and undercover work—but what makes it unforgettable isn't the drama, it's the emotional depth, spiritual transformation, and powerful healing that came after.

Sean shares how his greatest regret became the heartbeat of his upcoming memoir, The Good Little Drug Lord, and how he went from pain and regret to a life of purpose and love.

If you've ever struggled with shame, family wounds, or the weight of unspoken regrets, this episode will speak straight to your heart.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How one life-altering regret became the inspiration for a redemptive memoir
• The difference between acknowledging regret vs. being imprisoned by it
• Why forgiveness is an active verb—and how to practice it in real time
• How resentment and unresolved trauma keep us stuck in survival mode
• A powerful framework for understanding and navigating parent-child wounds
• How healing your inner child can transform your current relationships
• The spiritual shift that helped Sean go from victimhood to empowered creator
• How your personal healing can influence your entire family system
• The surprising way Sean's relationship with his mother was fully restored
• Why every human needs to feel seen, heard, and understood—and how to be that safe space for others
• What happens when you finally stop performing and start living from your heart

A FEW GOLDEN NUGGETS

1. Your regrets can become creative fuel. When faced with your deepest regret, you can either stay imprisoned by it or transform it into a message that heals. Sean chose the latter.
2. Resentment is often a habit... and forgiveness is a practice. Forgiveness isn't a one-time decision. It's a daily choice, a mindset shift, and a spiritual discipline that frees you more with each layer release.
3. We all long to be seen, heard, and understood. Whether you're a parent, a partner, or a friend—true connection begins when you stop judging and start listening without trying to fix or defend yourself and your own beliefs.
4. Transformation often requires releasing old expectations. When Sean let go of what love from his mother "should" look like, he finally received it in a way he never expected.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Follow Sean on Instagram: @sean_hemeon
• Sean's Website: www.seanhemeon.com
• Subscribe to our email list for early access to our Backstage Pass: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public, become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

Do you want to feel more alive? Are you comfortable with your own thoughts and feelings? When's the last time your really felt something?

In this episode of Recounting LIife Lessons, Sione and Alana sit down with Bente Vosteen—a sensory coach, visionary educator, and founder of a movement bringing sensory-based learning into schools and leadership spaces. After a powerful spiritual awakening in 2019, Bente began helping overwhelmed achievers, CEOs, and even children reconnect with their inner voice, purpose, and creative energy through immersive, sensory-driven experiences.

If you’ve been craving more connection, clarity, or confidence in your path, this episode is a must-listen.

In This Episode:

• What sensory awareness is, and how it can help you realign with your true self
• How a single life-changing moment helped Bente reclaim purpose and inner clarity in her life
• What it looks like to live a "perfect" life on the outside while feeling empty inside
• The role silence and stillness play in accessing your inner wisdom
• How to create environments (at home, work, and school) that support connection and creativity
• Why so many people are afraid to feel their emotion,s and how to start listening again
• The unexpected way AI can enhance human connection when you're aligned
• Simple practices for reconnecting with your selnses and inner voice starting today

Resources Mentioned:

• Connect with Bente Vosteen: bentevosteen.com
• Follow Bente on Instagram: @bentevosteen
• LinkedIn: Bente Vosteen

A Few Golden Nuggets:

• Acceptance is a key to getting unstuck. When we stop resisting what is, we gain clarity on our next steps.
• AI doesn't have to disconnect us. When we're grounded in who we are, it can actually free us up to connect more deeply with others.
• Perfection on the outside means nothing if we feel misaligned inside. Real fulfillment comes from living in alignment with our true selves.
• Our senses are powerful guides. By intentionally using them, we unlock deeper awareness, connection, creativity, and personal growth.

Feeling inspired? Be sure to listen to your senses, create space for stillness, and pay attention to your most inner thoughts and feelings.

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public, become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

What if the life you're craving is just one bold step away—even if you don't have it all figured out yet?

In this powerful episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we sit down with Mina Satori—a transformational business consultant, ontological coach, and advocate for visionary women looking to step into their true power and purpose. From a chaotic and unstable childhood, the impact of an elementary school teacher, losing her job in the mortgage industry during the housing market crash, and moving cross-country in an RV during the pandemic with no clear plan.

Mina shares the lessons that helped her break free from old stories, trust her inner knowing, and create a life that aligns with her essence.

Whether you're standing at a crossroads or struggling to believe in the next step, this episode will remind you that clarity, support, and confidence come when you move forward in faith.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• What an ontological coach is and how this unique coaching style helps shift your way of being
• How to recognize and trust your inner voice, even when logic says "don't"
• The power of rewriting limiting stories and shifting from a victim mindset to an empowered one
• Why you don't need a perfect plan to move forward—and how to "build the plan as you go"
• The truth behind the phrase "when the student is ready, the teacher appears"
• How to reframe painful past experiences into powerful catalysts for growth
• What it means to live in alignment with your true essence and spiritual intelligence
• Practical mindset and business strategies Mina uses to help women entrepreneurs thrive.

A FEW GOLDEN NUGGETS:

• Trust your inner knowing: Your intuition is wiser than you think. Create space to listen to that quiet voice and let it guide you forward.
• Rewrite the old narratives that are holding you back: The stories you carry from the past aren't set in stone. You can shift the lens and reclaim your power.
• Take the first step and build the plane as you go: You don't need all the answers before you begin. Start now. Clarity comes through action.
• Courage attracts support: When you move forward in faith, the right people, teachers, and opportunities show up to help you on your path.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Mina's website: minasatori.com
• Free 7-Step Project Plan: Download Mina's goal-setting system to help you create aligned and actionable plans here
• Follow Mina on Instagram: @CoachMinaSatori

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public, become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

How do you stay grounded when someone you love is unraveling?

In this powerful episode, Sione and Alana are joined again by Craig Williamson, author of Regarding Substance Abuse & Addiction, who shares what he learned during a 17-year-long journey supporting and loving his son through addiction—a journey that ended with his son's passing at age 29.

In this raw and deeply personal conversation, Craig opens up about the emotional toll of loving someone through addiction, and the life-changing lessons he learned about control, setting boundaries, practicing radical self-care, and how to love without losing yourself in the process.

Whether you're currently supporting someone through a hard season, or want to deepen your emotional resilience for life's inevitable storms—this episode will move you, ground you, and give you powerful tools to grow forward.

In this episode:

• What it really means to let go of control—and what to do instead
• The difference between enabling and loving with healthy boundaries.
• How to stay grounded when you're walking through chaos or grief
• The role of expectations in emotional pain—and how to shift them
• The connection between personal identity and unshakable joy
• Why self-care isn't selfish—it's your first responsibility
• Preparing your life's foundation before crisis hits
• Powerful lessons on grace, compassion, and emotional strength

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Craig's Book: Regarding Substance Abuse & Addiction (purchase through this link to support the show at no extra cost to you)
• Craig's First Podcast Appearance: Understanding Addiction-Ep. 80
• Craig's Substack: https://craigawilliamson.substack.com/

Want to set a foundation for the next 12 months? Check out our Best Year Ever Program to gain clarity and structure around your top priorities, habits, and personal growth goals.

A FEW GOLDEN NUGGETS:

1. Control is an illusion. Responsibility is where your power lives.
2. You can love the person and still reject the behavior
3. The brokenness around you is an opportunity to become your best self.
4. Don't attach your joy to outcomes—anchor it to your identity as a child of God.
5. If you stop taking care of yourself, you become part of the problem.

This episode is a must listen for parents, partners, and leaders who want to show up with strength, love, and grace—even when life doesn't go as planned.

Listen now and uncover what losing a son with addiction taught this father about control, boundaries, & self-care.

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public, become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

What if true freedom isn't about changing your life circumstances—but transforming how you experience them?

In this episode, Sione and Alana sit down with Gilbert Mane, a former headmaster, philosopher, and author of 7 Steps to Freedom—to explore how inner freedom can be cultivated through mindful responses, intentional speech, and creative presence.

Whether you're an overwhelmed achiever or someone seeking clarity and peace, Gilbert's insights will help you reclaim your power from within.

What You'll Learn:

• Why real freedom begins with how you respond to life's challenges—not escaping them
• How becoming mindful of your speech can reshape your identity and relationships
• The connection between freedom and creativity
• Practical tips to pause, listen, and choose empowered reactions instead of automatic ones
• Ways to create space for spontaneous creativity in your daily routine
• How to move beyond ego-driven stress and self-doubt toward lasting peace and clarity

Resources Mentioned:

• Gilbert's book: 7 Steps to Freedom
• His website: gilbertmane.com

A Few Golden Nuggets:

• Real freedom starts with how you respond—pause and choose a more empowered reaction to stress.
• Your words shape your world—practice mindful speech to reinforce the version of yourself you want to become.
• Creativity flows best when freed from pressure—give yoruself permission to play and create without judgment.

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lessons to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

Mistakes can end up being our greatest catalysts for growth.

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Alana sits down with Trish Saemann—truth-teller, no-fluff marketer, founder of GoBeyondSEO.com, co-host of the Break Even Better podcast, and author of Get More Clients You Love.

With a refreshing mix of transparency and hard-won wisdom, Trish shares some of the behind-the-scenes experiences that helped her grow both as a business owner and a person.

She opens up about hard-earned lessons from business and life—like what happens when we ignore red flags, the importance of discernment, and how clarity in who we serve (and how we show up) helps us do our best work, avoid burnout, and maintain greater control and alignment in our lives. Whether you run a business or just want to feel more empowered in your decisions, relationships, or leadership, there's wisdom here for you.

In this episode:

• Why doing your due diligence before delegating anything is essential (in business and in life)
• What Trish learned from hiring the wrong bookkeeper and how it shaped her business mindset
• How discernment helps you protect your energy, make better decisions, and serve more effectively
• Why success often requires learning unrelated, unexpected skills
• The importance of not letting one client, job, or role hold too much control and power
• Trish's Alignment Attraction framework for how to attract cliets (or opportunities) you love, using alignment instead of burnout

Resources Mentioned:

Trish's Marketing Website: https://gobeyondseo.com/

Trish's Book: https://getmoreclientsyoulove.com/

Follow Trish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dishwitrish

Check out her podcast: Breaking Even Better

Sign up for our newsletter and become a Sione and Alana Insider for exclusive content, weekly challenges, and more life lessons at https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lessons to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

Limiting thoughts and doubts aren't based in truth—they're based in fear.

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we're joined by Dr. Audrey Schnell, a coach who helps ambitious professionals identify and overcome the hidden fears sabotaging their success.

If you've ever felt stuck, struggled with follow-through, or doubted your ability to succeed despite knowing better—you're not alone. Tune in as Dr. Schnell shares with us the subtle ways that fear-based thinking may be running the show in our lives and what we can do about it.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why fear—not failure—is often the real obstacle to success
• How to identify when you're operating from a fear-based loop
• The role of labels and personality assessments in limiting your potential.
• How procrastination and overthinking disguise themselves as productivity
• What fear of success looks like and how it keeps you playing small
• How to "flip the script" and reframe disempowering thoughts
• Why true growth means letting go of who you used to be
• How your environment and community can fast-track your transformation.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Learn more about Dr. Audrey Schnell at https://audreyschnell.com
• Sign up for our newsletter and become a Sione and Alana Insider for exclusive content, weekly challenges, and more life lessons at https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider

A FEW GOLDEN NUGGETS:

1. Growth requires letting go of who you used to be. Transformation isn't about adding more—it’s about releasing what no longer serves you.
2. Fear of the unknown is often the real obstacle. It's not failure we're afraid of—it'suncertainty. But growth begins with curiosity.
3. You grow faster when you're surrounded by people who stretch you. Discomfort can be your best teacher—especially when you're in the right environment.
4. Beware of limiting labels. Labels can help us understand ourselves, but they can also box us in. Don't let them define your potential.
5. What sounds like a limiting belief is often a fear in disguise. Doubts like "I'm not enough" are often just fears asking, "What if that's true?" Flip the script and take action anyway.

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lessons to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

In this powerful episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Sione and Alana are joined by Robert Cassidy, a lifelong seeker of wisdom who has worked with everyone from Hollywood elites to Zen monks. Through years of spiritual exploration and personal growth, Robert discovered that the most valuable answers don't come from outside of us—they come from within.

He's the author of The Self-Discovery Journal, a transformative guide designed to help you tune into your own voice, ask better questions, and unlock your inner truth. In this conversation, we dive deep into how self-reflection and inner awareness lead to greater clarity, stronger relationships, and more authentic leadership.

If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step—this episode will help you reset, refocus, and reconnect with your most grounded self.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

• Why the most powerful insight often come from within, not from outside experts
• How journaling can help you hear your own thoughts more clearly
• The difference between being impressive and being useful in your relationships and work
• How the questions you ask yourself daily shape your mindset and outcomes
• What it means to truly show up for others—and why self-security is the foundation
• Simple self-check-in practices to help you feel more grounded and connected
• How to shift from doubt to curiousity in your personal growth journey
• Why personal development isn't a destination—but a practice of inner tuning

Listen now if you're ready to reconnect with your inner wisdom, grow your self-awareness, and serve others from a place of strength and authenticity

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Robert's Self-Discovery Journal: Be Guided by The Masters of History to Evolve Your Health, Wealth, Relationships, Mind and Spirituality: Get it here to support both Robert and this podcast at no extra cost to you
• Robert Cassidy's website: https://www.robertcassidywriting.com
• Become a Sione and Alana Insider: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/insider
• Learn more about the Best Year Ever Blueprint Course: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/programs

A FEW GOLDEN NUGGETS:

1. When looking for answers, don't forget to look within. Robert shared how years of global wisdom-seeking led him to realize the most important voice is his own. External insights can be helpful—but true clarity comes when you tune into what your inner voice is already telling you.
2. The more secure we are in ourselves, the greater our capacity to show up for others. When you're grounded in your own identity, you're not walking into relationships or conversations needing something—you're able to be present, connected, and truly supportive.
3. The questions we ask ourselves frequently shape the way we see things. Our thoughts are filtered by the questions we ask. One of Robert's favorites is, "Am I in love or in fear right now?" That one question can shift your mindset in powerful ways.
4. Curiosity is a more empowering lens than doubt. Doubt keeps us stuck. Curiosity opens that door to discovery. Reframing your internal dialogue from "What might I learn?" can make all the difference.
5. Self-discovery is a dance, not a destination. You don't need to have everything figured out. Growth happens when we move and create space to reflect, listen, and evolve.

Listen now to explore how self-discovery can help you find clarity, confidence, and deeper connection—without adding more to your plate.

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lessons to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

What if the key to future-proofing your career and personal growth isn't about mastering more, but in learning how to adapt?

In this episode, Sione and Alana sit down with Becky Heidesch, a career strategist, author, and creator of the S.T.E.E.P. Method—a practical and powerful framework for navigating career growth, transitions, and self-development in a world that's constantly changing.

Whether you're starting something new, considering a picot, or simply trying to stay relevant in the age of AI and constant innovation, this conversation will give you clarity, courage, and a fresh perspective on what it takes to thrive.

What You'll Learn:

• What the S.T.E.E.P. Method is and how to use it to manage your career and personal growth
• How to audit your current skills, tools, and personal qualities to plan your next move
• Why emotional intelligence and digital skills are the ultimate power skills for 2025 and the future
• How to build resilience, follow-through, and discipline to finish what you start
• Insights for parents, professionals, and entrepreneurs looking to evolve without overwhelm
• Real-world examples of adapting in today's fast-paced, tech-driven world
• How to make confident decisions during career transitions without losing momentum

Resources Mentioned:

• Becky Heidesch's website: https://beckyheidesch.com
• Her book, The Career Masterclass for Women: Staying Marketable and Succeeding in a Changing Business World: https://amzn.to/3EvUZws (using this link will support both Becky and Recounting Life Lessons at no extra cost to you)
• Best Year Ever Blueprint Program: A self-guided framework to help you clarify your goals and create a 12-month action plan you'll actually stick to at https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/programs

A Few Golden Nuggets:

• Growth happens when we step into the unknown—even when we're not fully prepared. Becky reminded us that we often think something will be easy until we actually do it. We prepare, we plan, but it's in the doing that we really learn what we're capable of and where we still need to grow.
• The world is changing fast. The real advantage will be staying adaptable and self-aware. Becky's S.T.E.E.P. Method—Skills, Tools, Education, Experience, and Personal Qualities—is more than a career tool. It's a growth framework for life in an ever-changing world.
• Emotional intelligence and resilience are the ultimate skills of the future. Becky emphasized that being talented isn't enough. It's your character—your emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and your ability to follow through—that determines long-term success.

This episode is for every growth-minded leader, overwhelmed achiever, and purpose-driven dreamer who knows there's more ahead, but isn't sure where to start.

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lessons to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

What if the key to personal peace and professional success is hidden behind unresolved resentment?

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we sit down with Kory Livingstone—musician, author, and coach—who shares his deeply personal journey of forgiveness, emotional healing, and growth. Kory opens up about the strained relationship with his father, the walls that were built from years of pain, and the breakthrough that happened when he was asked to write his father's eulogy.

Whether you're navigating family wounds, professional conflict, or just trying to grow into a better version of yourself, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

• Why forgiveness isn't weakness, and how it actually empowers you
• The surprising connection between understanding and emotional healing
• How unresolved resentment affects success—both at home and in the workplace
• What it means to "break generational cycles" and how to begin
• A simple but powerful mindset shift that helps you start forgiving—even without an apology
• How Kory's experience inspired a touching original song that beautifully captures the forgiveness process
• Why leaders and companies need to address resentment for lasting growth
• Actionable tips for starting your own healing journey

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Get a FREE copy of Kory's book: "Quite Determination: 15 Ways to Break the Barriers of Your Untapped Success (just pay for shipping—email Kory at kory@korylivingstone.com and mention this episode.
• Connect with Kory: www.korylivingstone.com
• Best Year Ever Course: www.recountinglifelessons.com/programs

A FEW GOLDEN NUGGETS:

1. Understanding is the key that unlocks forgiveness: Forgiveness begins when we choose to understand. Seeing others through a lens of compassion doesn't excuse harmful behavior—but it allows us to release the resentment that weighs us down.
2. Forgiveness is a process, not a one-time event: Healing happens one memory, one moment, one emotional "brick" at a time. Like Kory said, "We broke down the wall one brick at a time."
3. You can break the cycle and create a new legacy: You have the power to say "Not me." You don't have to carry forward the pain of the past. You get to write a new story—one rooted in growth, love, and intention.

Tune in now and discover how forgiveness could be the missing piece in your personal growth journey—and how it might just change everything.

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lessons to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

Find out why Authentic Intelligence matters more than ever...

Artificial Intelligence is advancing rapidly, transforming the way we work, think, and interact. But while A.I. can process vast amounts of data, it can't replace human wisdom, intuition, or emotional intelligence—the things that truly drive success and leadership.

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we sit down with Dr. Jan Schwartz, a forensic researcher, psychologist, and expert in white-collar crime investigation, to explore how to cultivate Authentic Intelligence—the powerful integration of mental, emotional, and spiritual intelligence—so you can make better decisions, overcome fear, and thrive in an ever-changing world.

If you've ever wondered how to trust your instincts, think critically, and lead with wisdom in an A.I. driven world, this episode is for you!

Listen now to discover how to strengthen your Authentic Intelligence and stay ahead of the A.I. revolution!

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why A.I. can't replace human intuition, wisdom, or values-based decision-making
• What Authentic Intelligence is and why it's essential in today's world
• How to develop the three pillars of Authentic Intelligence: mental, emotional, and spiritual intelligence
• How to overcome fear by anchoring yourself in your purpose
• The major limitations of A.I., including why it struggles with real-world unpredictability, human emotions, and ethical decision-making
• How setbacks and unexpected challenges can actually lead you toward your greater purpose
• Practical ways to sharpen your critical thinking and intuition to make better life and business decisions
• How to thrive in a world that's increasingly dominated by A.I. and automation

Plus, Dr. Schwartz shares personal stories from her fascinating career—from teaching as an elementary school teacher to forensic research to uncovering white-collar crime—and how her journey shaped her understanding of Authentic Intelligence.

Hit play now and start developing your Authentic Intelligence today!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Dr. Jan Schwartz's website: JanSchwartz.us

Follow Dr. Schwartz on LinkedIn: Jan Mielke Schwartz

Dr. Schwartz's upcoming book: Authentic Intelligence (stay tuned for the release)

Dr. Schwartz's first book: Last Summer with Oscar (using this link will also support this channel at no additional costs to you)

Best Year Ever Blueprint Program: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/your-best-year-ever-blueprint

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lessons to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

What if the key to your biggest transformation was simply listening?

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we sit down with best-selling author, Marko Petrovic, who shares his extraordinary journey of trusting intuition, embracing stillness, and surrendering to life's calling. From running a 40-acre farm in Australia to selling everything and moving to Mexico for 9 months of complete silence, Marko's story is a powerful testament to what happens when you truly tune in to your soul's path.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• How to recognize when intuition is guiding you toward transformation
• The profound lessons Marko learned during 9 months of silence
• Why stillness and surrender are often the most powerful tools for growth
• The balance between challenge and support on the path to self-discoverty
• How to break free from external expectations and truly align with your purpose

If you've ever felt stuck, uncertain, or at a crossroads in life, this episode will inspire you to slow down, listen deeply, and trust the unseen forces guiding you forward.

Tune in now and discover how silence, stillness, and surrender can lead to your most life-changing transfromations.

Resources Mentioned:

• Get Marko's book, Soul Path: https://amzn.to/3FxyLuf (using this link will support Marko and this podcast at no additional cost to you)
• Get instant access to the "You Are Here" exercise to get clarity on where you are and what's next: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/you-are-here-lesson
• Follow Marko on social media @MeetMarko for more insights

A Few Golden Nuggets From This Episode:

1. Transformation happens when you listen to your inner voice: Marko's journey started with a moment of deep intution—the message was so clear, he couldn't ignore it. And the moment he acted on it, everything shifted.
2. Growth happens in the balance of challenge and support: Marko shared that during his journey, he received equal parts of challenge and support. Some people embraced his silence, offering kindness and encouragement, while others pushed back and even criticized him. But both were necessary for his growth.
3. True clarity comes from slowing down and aligning with natural rhythms: Marko talked about spending nine months in silence, which—without him planning it—mirrored the exact time it takes for a child to develop in the womb. How wild is that? It's a reminder that transformation happens over time, and when we slow down enough, we align with the natural flow of life.

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lessons to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

Are limiting beliefs and self-doubt holding you back? Have you ever felt like you didn't belong or questioned your own worth? You're not alone.

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Hailima Yates—mindset coach, transformational speaker, and author of Dissolving the Anchor—shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming feelings of unworthiness, battling suicidal thoughts, and ultimately transforming her mindset to reclaim her power.

Growing up, Hailima struggled with rejection, microaggressions, and feeling invisible, which led her to internalize the belief that she didn't matter. But through self-reflection, mindset shifts, and interntional action, she found a way to break free—and now she helps others do the same.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How to shift from reacting to life intentionally creating it
• The power of mindset transformation and how to rewrite your internal narrative
• Practical tools for self-reflection, self-worth, and personal growth
• Why your Reticular Activating System (RAS) influences your success
• How to identify and release the anchors weighing you down
• How to navigate feelings of loneliness, self-doubt, and suicidal thoughts

Plus, we discuss forgiveness, resilience, and the power of choice—so you can start showing up as the empowered hero of your own life.

A Quick Note: this episode touches on the topic of suicide, which may be triggering for some listeners. If you are struggling, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or text HOME to 741741 for confidential support.

Listen now and learn how to dissolve the anchors that are holding you back.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Grab Hailimas book Dissolving the Anchor: https://amzn.to/3QX9Br7 (using this link will also support this podcast at no extra cost to you)
• Visit her website: www.hiyates.com
• Get the FREE "You Are Here" Exercise: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/you-are-here-lesson
• Access the Best Year Ever Blueprint course: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/best-year-ever

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lessons to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

Have you ever been told that your dreams were impossible? That what you want just isn’t for you? Well, today’s guest, Kofi Douhadji, knows exactly what that feels like—but instead of accepting limitations, he used them as a launchpad for success. If you’ve ever felt stuck, doubted yourself, or needed a mindset shift to push forward, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we sit down with Kofi Douhadji, U.S. Air Force officer, entrepreneur, and author of Unbroken Optimist, to uncover the mindset shifts, resilience strategies, and success principles that helped him transform doubt into motivation.

Kofi shares how his childhood dream of flying—one that people told him was out of reach—became the driving force behind his achievements. We dive into the Pilot Mindset, the power of optimism and perspective to recognize the opportunities that will take you further, faster.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• How Kofi used doubt as fuel to achieve his dreams
• The Pilot Mindset: A powerful way to stay focused & adapt to obstacles
• Why setbacks aren't failures—they're your next takeoff point
• Why sharing your gifts with the world is one of the most powerful things you can do

Tune in now and get ready to shift your mindset, take control of your goals, and start seeing success in a whole new way!

Connect with Kofi Douhadji & Get His Book:

Unbroken Optimist at https://amzn.to/3XjfQcy

(using this link will also support this podcast at no extra cost to you)

kofidouhadji.com

LinkedIn: @kofidouhadji

Instagram: @kofiruns

Get the Best Year Ever Blueprint:

https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/best-year-ever

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

What if illness isn't just something to fight—but a message from our body calling you to heal?

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we sit down with Ayla Shepherd, trauma-informed therapist, midlife transformation coach, and author of The Truth Trip.

After receiving a shocking cancer diagnosis, Ayla had to make a life-changing decision: follow the conventional medical path alone or uncover the deeper emotional and psychological roots of her illness.

Join us as we explore

• Why conventional medicine plays a vital role but often isn't enough for true healing
• How unprocessed trauma, people-pleasing, and living inauthentically can manifest as physical illness
• The power of self-awareness and listening to your body's wisdom
• Practical ways to detox, manage stress, and create a holistic healing routine
• How trusting yourself can lead to profound transformation

Ayla's journey offers powerful insights into the mind-body connection, the impact of suppressed emotions, and the importance of aligning with your authentic self.

Whether you're navigating health challenges, burnout, or seeking deeper self-awareness, this conversation is packed with wisdom and actionable takeaways.

Where to get The Truth Trip and Connect with Ayla Shepherd:

Order on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gUl5WV (using this link will also support this podcast at no extra cost to you)

Connect with Ayla on Instagram: @awaken_with_ayla

Visit her website: https://www.aylashepherd.com/

Resources:

The 60-Second Empowered Action Framework: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/resources

The Best Year Ever Blueprint: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/best-year-ever

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

Are your own psychological biases secretly working against you when it comes to money? In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we sit down with John Joseph De Goey—a portfolio manager, author, and financial expert—to uncover the hidden forces shaping our financial decisions.

In this episode, we'll explore how our biases shape our money decisions, why awareness of these psychological quirks is a game-changer, and how mastering your financial mindset can reduce overwhelm and empower you to lead with confidence.

So, whether you're a business owner, a family leader, or someone looking to take control of your financial future, this conversation is packed with practical strategies and eye-opening insights to help you make more confident, bias-aware financial decisions!

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• The Pervasive Nature of Biases: Biases affect everyone, and while they can't be eliminated, they can be managed. Discover how increasing your awareness of these biases empowers you to make smarter, more intentional financial choices.
• The Impact of Psychological Factors on Financial Decisions: Learn how mental traps and cognitive biases often lead people to make emotion-driven decisions rather than logical, well-thought-out choices—and what you can do to counteract these tendencies.
• Specific Psychological Biases That Impact Financial Success: De Goey breaks down several common biases that could be costing you money, including:
  • Optimism Bias
  • Resulting
  • Overconfidence
  • Escalation of Commitment
  • Sunk Cost Fallacy
• Strategies for Managing Biases: Learn how self-awareness and honesty about your motivations can help you make better financial choices. Discover why seeking feedback from a trusted third party can provide an unbiased perspective, and how discussing your biases with someone who will challenge your assumptions can keep you on the right track.
• The Importance of Choice Architecture: Explore how the way choices are presented can significantly impact decision-making. We discuss real-world examples, like the "Save More Tomorrow" program, which helps people effortlessly increase their savings, and how default options in organ donation policies have dramatically increased participation rates.
• The Role of Technology in Amplifying Biases: Understand how technology and social media algorithms can reinforce confirmation bias, making it harder to see alternative perspectives. Learn how to recognize and counteract these influences to make more informed financial choices.
• The Value of Seeking Help: Discover why even the best decision-makers benefit from outside guidance. We'll discuss the advantages of working with financial advisors who provide expert insitghts and how having a trusted accountability partner can help you identify and overcome your biases.

For a deeper dive into the lessons and insights John Joseph De Goey shared, tune into the full interview. And be sure to check out his book, Bullshift: How Optimism Bias Threatens Your Finances and his podcast Make Better Wealth Decisions.

Join us as we explore these lessons and practical tips for making better financial decisions.

Where to get De Goey's book Bullshift:

Order on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PWTw4l (using this link will also support this podcast at no extra cost to you)

Where to get the Your Best Year Ever Blueprint:

https://www.recountinglifelessons.com/best-year-ever

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lessons to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

This conversation with Craig Williamson goes beyond surface-level discussions about addiction. It’s a deeply human exploration of what it means to navigate life’s hardest challenges while finding ways to grow and inspire others. Whether you’ve been personally affected by addiction or are seeking actionable insights for personal development, this episode is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss.

Addiction is a deeply personal and challenging journey that affects millions of individuals and families. In our latest episode of Recounting Life Lessons, we had the privilege of speaking with Craig A. Williamson, author of Regarding Substance Abuse and Addiction. Drawing from his own experiences—including the devastating loss of his son in 2023—Craig shared invaluable insights on addiction, recovery, and the broader lessons we can all take away for personal growth and success.

With 4.8 million Americans aged 12 and over diagnosed with a substance use disorder in 2022, nearly everyone has been touched by addiction in some way. While there are no easy answers, Craig’s perspective offers a beacon of hope, compassion, and practical guidance for those navigating these turbulent waters.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

1. Addiction is a Continuum: Craig highlights the nuanced distinction between substance abuse and the disease of addiction, explaining how understanding this continuum is crucial for offering the right support.
2. The Importance of "Loving with Detachment": Balancing unconditional love with boundaries helps protect both the loved one and ourselves. It avoids the pitfalls of enabling harmful behaviors.
3. Recovery is the Foundation: For anyone struggling with addiction, focusing on recovery must come before pursuing other goals. As Craig says, "Nothing else matters if recovery isn't successful."
4. The Role of Self-Awareness: Supporting someone through addiction requires a deep understanding of one's own emotions and actions, as intuition often leads to counterproductive responses.
5. Brokenness as Opportunity: Craig's reframing of hardships as an opportunity for growth and connection inspires a shift in perspective, encouraging resilience and optimism.

For an in-depth exploration of these takeaways and more, be sure to listen to the full interview.

5 Life Lessons from the Interview to Apply Beyond Addiction

Craig's insights extend far beyond addiction and recovery. Here are five lessons that resonate across all areas of personal growth and success:

1. Seek to Understand Before Acting: Understanding the root of challenges—whether addiction, career struggles, or relationship issues—is the first step to responding effectively. Knowledge empowers us to make better decisions.
2. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Taking small, consistent steps toward improvement is more sustainable and impactful than striving for unattainable perfection.
3. Love with Boundaries: Learning to care for others without compromising your own well-being is essential for maintaining healthy relationships and achieving personal goals.
4. Turn Challenges into Growth & Service Opportunities: Reframing setbacks as opportunities for learning and serving can help you move forward with greater strength and purpose.
5. Have Something to Aspire to: Life and the things in our environment will try to pull us in all sorts of directions. Deciding what we want to aspire to will anchor us to a path that's taking us where we ultimately want to go and help us measure the weight and value of our choices.

Discover More:

For a deeper dive into the lessons and insights Craig shared, tune in to the full interview. And don’t forget to check out his book, Regarding Substance Abuse and Addiction, for practical guidance and heartfelt stories that shed light on one of today’s most pressing issues.

Join us as we explore lessons, blessings, and practical tools for navigating the path of addiction with compassion and purpose.

Where to get Regarding Substance Abuse and Addiction:

Visit his website: https://www.craig-williamson.com/book-store

Order on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jgT7Y0 (using this link will also support this podcast at no extra cost to you)

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

Free Resources:

Year-End Audit Guide

100 Day Habit Tracker

View Details

In this episode, Sione and Alana sit down with Brian Curtis, entrepreneur and author of There Is Only One Heart, to explore the profound lessons he’s learned from over 25 years of white-water rafting. Brian shares the harrowing story of a near-death experience when he was anchored to the riverbank and stuck underwater, a moment that taught him the importance of surrender and going with the flow.

Through engaging anecdotes, Brian reveals how the river mirrors life, showing us why we shouldn’t anchor ourselves in turbulent waters and how to navigate life’s rapids—known in rafting as "conflicts." He explains how these principles apply not only on the river but also in our relationships and work environments, offering practical advice for staying out of unnecessary conflict and confidently navigating challenges when they arise.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or personal growth enthusiast, you’ll discover actionable insights about resilience, adaptability, and the art of letting go.

Don’t miss this powerful conversation—and be sure to check out Brian’s book, There Is Only One Heart, available now on Amazon.

(use the following link to purchase to support Brian and our podcast at no extra charge to you: https://amzn.to/3zHGCmk)

Want to connect with Brian?

Visit his website at bcurtis.org

For our latest insights and things we don't share with the public become a Sione and Alana Insider. It's free and easy to join: https://recountinglifelessons.com/insider

FOLLOW US: ► Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sioneandalana ► Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana ► Alana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanauyema ► Sione's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioneuyema

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

►Website: https://www.recountinglifelessons.com ►Email: sioneandalana@recountinglifelessons.com

Have a life lesson to share? Interested in being a guest?

We'd love to connect: click here to schedule a time to connect

View Details

Sometimes the things we are reluctant to participate in end up laying a foundation for our success in the future.

In this episode, Sione and Alana sit down with Julie Cropp Gareleck, the author of Dare to Become and CEO and founder of Junction Creative.

They discuss leadership, motherhood, the pros and cons of having a family business, the benefits of journaling, entrepreneurship, and more.

If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, you want to figure out how to balance owning a business and having a family, you want to know how to best support your business owner friends or family members, or are even contemplating starting a family business of your own, this episode is full of life lessons and tips just for you.

Tune in to find out what Julie learned in her journey from the corner booth to the corner office and how those lessons can help you.

Want to connect with Julie or get a copy of her book?

Find her at https://juliecroppgareleck.com/

And be sure to get a copy of Dare to Become

(use the following link to purchase to support Julie and our podcast at no extra charge to you: https://amzn.to/3zHGCmk)

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list, become a Sione & Alana Insider, and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://calendly.com/recountinglifelessons/possibleguest

View Details

One of the most beautiful aspects of life and human connection is the fact that no two people are alike. We are all unique and come with our own perspetives through which we see the world.

And while it can variety and art and diversity to our experiences, it is also at the root of division, frustration, hurt feelings, assumptions, and misunderstandings.

In this episode, Sione and Alana sit down with Dr. Kyle Reyes to explore insights from his book Lenses of Humanity and his framework for increasing our ability to reflect, connect, have empathy, and show up in a way that promotes humanity, love, and respect from one another.

Dr. Reyes shares his 4 lens framework, offering a refreshing approach to reframing how we understand and impact one another.

Rather than being driven by divisive political agendas, he advocates for a human-centered perspective that prioritizes empathy, growth, and deeper connection.

During our discussion, we delve into the power of lens development—how seeing things anew can lead to personal growth and positive change.

Kyle also shares practical strategies for modeling humanity, embracing our own cultures with grace, and extending that same grace towards others.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how to live and lead with greater humanity.

Want to connect with Dr. Kyle Reyes?

Find him on LinkedIn

And be sure to get a copy of Lenses of Humanity

(use the following link to purchase to support Kyle and our podcast: https://amzn.to/3zHGCmk)

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list, become a Sione & Alana Insider, and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://calendly.com/recountinglifelessons/possibleguest

View Details

In this episode, Sione and Alana delve into the concept of sunk cost bias and determining when it's time to move on and stop investing in a project, goal, or environment that is no longer serving you.

Why it can be so challenging to leave environments that no longer empower us?

One of the greatest challenges may be the people we'll be leaving behind or impacted by our deciosion to go.

What about our physical enviornments, the time and money we've already invested, and the costs of moving on?

In this episode, Sione and Alana discuss all of these things and more to invite and encourage you to uncover and recognize when it's time to move on and how to embrace environments that truly support their journey forward.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list, become a Sione & Alana Insider, and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://calendly.com/recountinglifelessons/possibleguest

View Details

In this episode Alana explores the profound connection between our focus and the joy we experience in our lives.

Inspiried by a quote from Russell M. Nelson, she delves into a heartwarming and insightful story from a recent experience teaching young children about forgiveness.

Listen as she talks about how holding onto anger and frustration can prevent us from embracing the joy that surrounds us.

Through the lens of a determined three-year-old, you'll learn how our focus shapes our experinces and discover practical steps to shift your focus and let go of what's holding you back.

By the end of the episode, you'll be inspired to take inventory of your life, identify what you're holding onto, and make room for more joy.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list, become a Sione & Alana Insider, and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://calendly.com/recountinglifelessons/possibleguest

View Details

The environment we place ourselves in impact our frame of mind.

We can use willpower, energy, and discipline to control what we think about and how we think, but we can make things easier on ourselves. All we have to do is put ourselves in environments that align with the frame of mind we want to be in.

In this episode, Alana shares an experience that helped her realize the different ways that the environment influences our ability to do the things we want to do.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list, become a Sione & Alana Insider, and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://calendly.com/recountinglifelessons/possibleguest

View Details

When does the pursuit for excellence become disempowering and disabling?

Expecting perfection from ourselves and others can seem like a worthy pursuit, but it doesn't always yield the best results.

Listen and learn about the 4 things you can focus on to get unstuck and feel empowered when perfectionism is preventing you from making progress.

In this episode, Sione and Alana discuss the myths and misconceptions about perfectionism. Not only that, but they also share what you can do if you find that perfectionism is holding you back and killing your confidence.

It's as simple as shifting your focus.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list, become a Sione & Alana Insider, and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://calendly.com/recountinglifelessons/possibleguest

View Details

This one is for any perfectionists out there who often find themselves stuck in inaction... especially when you actually know what needs to be done.

In this episode, Alana shares a mindset shift that was inspired by an ultra-marathon runner and the word "imperfect". This little shift allowed her to move into a place of more confidence and empowerment. It can do the same for you.

Are you feeling stuck? Have you avoided taking action on something that means a lot do you? Is the fear of making mistakes or not being good enough holding you back?

We all want to feel loved, liked, and enough.

This is your permission to be imperfect as you take relentless imperfect action towards your goals.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list, become a Sione & Alana Insider, and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://calendly.com/recountinglifelessons/possibleguest

View Details

It's one thing to have a "Why", it's another thing to make time for your "why".

In this episode Sione and Alana sit down with Matt DeHart of Highline Financial Coaching.

Matt had always said that his why for doing things was his family. But after receiving some unexpected bad news he realized that his real why wasn't just to provide for his family, it was to spend time with them as well. The news caused him to take a leap of faith and do something he never would have done before and it led him to start his financial coaching business.

Matt recounts this experience, and several other pivotal moments in his life throughout this episode. He also shares the non-negotiables that allow him to prioritize his faith, family, fitness, and ability to provide financially for his family.

This is a great episode for tips on goal setting, money management, time management, mindsets for dealing with setbacks, and foundational practices for living a life of fulfillment.

Connect with Matt DeHart:

Website: https://highlinefinancialcoaching.com/

Email: matt@highlinefinancialcoaching.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onthemoneywithmatt

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list, become a Sione & Alana Insider, and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://calendly.com/recountinglifelessons/possibleguest

View Details

An important step in achieving our goals, making an impact that matters, and enjoying what we want is learning to love ourselves.

This can be especially difficult if we've gone through trauma or were taught to believe things that limit our self-worth. Karishma Gautam helps women who have dealt with things like abuse or rape learn to love themselves and let go of the limiting beliefs that keep them disempowered in their lives, relationships, and abilities to get what they want out of life.

In this episode, Karishma recounts the expeirences and life lessons that led her to a mission of helping one million women improve their relationships with themselves by the year 2025.

She also shares her 3 step process for increasing self-love around:

1) Forgiveness

2) Clarity

3) Trust

Connect with Karishma:

Website: www.elevateselflove.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karishma.gautam80/

Sign up to her email list to get a free copy of her ebook, 10 Ways to Learn to Love Yourself, and send her a message on Facebook to apply to work with her one-on-one on a 5 day challege to achieve more self-love in your life.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list, become a Sione & Alana Insider, and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://calendly.com/recountinglifelessons/possibleguest

View Details

Feelings of subjective inferiority can prevent us from acknowledging the value we can add to various situations throughout my life. These feelings can convince us to play small, keep quiet, and miss out on opportunities to empower others. They kept us from living up to our potential and there will always be collateral damage for NOT using our gifts, voice, and light.

Where do feelings of inferiority come from? How do we overcome them? How can we tell if those we teach or lead are feeling inferior? What are the benefits of helping those we teach or lead overcome their feelings of inferiority? How can we use feelings of inferiority to our advantage?

In this episode, Alana recounts a few experiences where feelings of inferiority held her back. She also talks about where feelings of inferiority come from, how to recognize them in yourself and others, and how to overcome or use them to your advantage.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://calendly.com/recountinglifelessons/possibleguest

View Details

Life doesn't always go as we plan. It can be hard to find fulfillment when we expect to be married, have children, own a home, or be at a specific stage in our vocations by a certain age, and despite our greatest efforts, it doesn't happen.

In this episode, Sione and Alana sit down with Shelby Delgado, the author of Single and Fulfilled: a Practical Guide to Finding Joy and Contentment in the Present. Shelby, who has been single her entire life, shares tips and principles that have helped her to find fulfillment in her life's circumstances. They talk about identity, loneliness, codependency, what not to say to our single friends, and more.

It is possible to find joy and fulfillment no matter our circumstances. And there are ways that we can empower those who are navigating the unexpected as well.

Connect with Shelby:

Website: www.shelbydelgado.com

Instagram: @shelbydelgadobooks

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://calendly.com/recountinglifelessons/possibleguest

View Details

If you could send a message to your past and future selves what would they be?

In this impromptu episode, Alana sits down to share a message with her past and future selves that pretty much anyone could benefit from. This is especially true for those going through some growing pains, stepping outside of their comfort zone, and letting go of what once was so they can embrace what could be.

It's a gift to herself and her listeners...

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://calendly.com/recountinglifelessons/possibleguest

View Details

"Life doesn't have to be so hard." That's what Kathy Mou learned after struggling with infertility.

In this episode, Sione and Alana sit down with life coach and the creator of The B.S. Life aka The Bliss Soft Life, Kathy Mou. Where she recounts the experiences in her life and her identity as an Asian twin, working in her family's restaurant, and struggling with infertility led her to discover principles to living a life that's more blissful and not so hard.

Highlights from their disccusion include:

• the difference between self-love and self-care
• how do you start putting your needs first
• how do you know if you know what you want?
• why self-love is not selfish
• how to avoid stifling your children's ability to discover their wants and abilities

We don't have to wait until we reach our next goal or phase in our lives to feel happy or bliss. And life really doesn't need to be as hard as we often make it.

Connect with Kathy:

Website: www.kathymou.com/

Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @kathy.mou

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://calendly.com/recountinglifelessons/possibleguest

View Details

Communication is one of the most essential soft skills to develop if we want to be effective in our leadership, teaching, coaching, parenting, selling, and relationships.

We speak to influence and to be understood, but if we aren't good at listening before we speak the things we say may seem to go unheard or misunderstood.

In this episode, Alana shares the 7 Ps of listening and ways that you can use them in your conversations and every day life. These 7 practices will make you a better listener and communicator. They are:

1. Priority
2. Patience
3. Persistence
4. Paying attention
5. Patterns
6. Practice
7. Placement

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://calendly.com/recountinglifelessons/possibleguest

View Details

When is the best time to start taking action on our goals? When is it too late?

Alana sat down with Sharon Takamori, who at 76 years old, decided to start a YouTube channel, even though she had little to no knowledge about how to get it done. They talk about how she dealt with setbacks and negativity and the driving force behind her desire to jump into a new entrepreneur journey at such a late stage in her life.

Sharon is also the daughter of the late Fujiko Matayashi, the lady who sat on the side of the highway in Waiahole for years, selling her fruits to help provide for her family. Fujiko is also the inspiration behind the iconic song, Sweet Lady of Waiahole, by Gordon Broad.

In this episode, Sharon shares memories of her mother, what she's learned from entrepreneurism, as well as what gardening and farm life have taught her.

Want to connect with Aunty Sharon?

Find her and the rest of the Sweet Lady Legacy familiy on Instagram @sweetladylegacy or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@sweetladylegacy808

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://calendly.com/recountinglifelessons/possibleguest

View Details

Making decisions use up energy and bandwidth. And it's the most urgent decisions that end up using up most of our energy. When our energy is low and the time for making those desicions arrives, it is likely that we will end up making a decision we later regret.

Not only that, the bandwidth required to make those decisions also rob us of the energy and time to do more of what we actually love and actually want or feel called to do. In short, decision fatigue can prevent us from doing our best and greatest work.

In this episode, Alana shares the 3 things she did to increase her capacity and minimize the decision fatigue that the everyday obligations brought with them. She calls them the 3 E's of decision making.

The 3 E's of decision-making can help you minimize that decision fatigue for yourself and for those that you lead.

What more would you be able to do or enjoy if you had more time and energy?

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

If we want to avoid wandering aimlessly in our lives and in pursuit of our goals we need 3 things:

1. We need a map or a plan to follow
2. We need to know where we currently are
3. We need to know what our desired destination is or where we want to go

One of the best ways to do identify those first two is by tracking our stats, habits, numbers, and data. It's by keeping good records. As we do this we'll also be able to discover our strengths, our weaknesses, and use that knowledge as a way to take advantage of our positioning to give us an edge.

In this episode, Sione and Alana talk about the lessons and tips they've picked up by being more intentional about tracking their goals and progress to help you discover ways to get or create a map for yourself and then to determine where you are on that map.

For help in determining what you want or where you want to go once you have that map, check out:

Ep. 1: Begin with the End in Mind

Ep. 2: Success as a Whole

Ep. 33: Success is a Feeling

Ep. 57: Success Starts Here

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

If you don't know where you are, in relation to where you want to be, it's difficult to make progress on purpose.

In this episode, Sione and Alana discuss the various fears and reasons we often avoid getting clear about where we are. They also discuss what we can do to manage those fears and courageously push past them.

Fears like:

• fear of failure
• false comfort in the ambiguity
• fear of change
• fear of introspection
• fear and overwhelm by what's next
• fear of what others may think

Whether it be in our health, our finances, or our progress on our journey to reaching a particular goal, having a clear picture and awareness of where we currently are will give us an advantage.

The presence of these fears are normal, but do not let them stop you from taking the actions that allow you to find that clarity and the confidence that will come with it...even if you find out you are not yet where you think you should be.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

As leaders, there is always more to do than we have the capacity for at any given moment. We face the endless pull of projects, responsibilities, and obligations for our attention. As a result, it's easy to feel like there is never enough time to do more of the things we love and feel called to do.

In this episode, Alana shares 3 things that can help you and those you lead, increase your capacity to do and enjoy those things.

When it comes to increasing our capacity to do more, it's not about doing more. It often comes down to knowing how to start doing less.

We'll need to make decisions about what to let go of or change so our energy and attention is spent on the things that will have the greatest impact for good on our results.

In this episode, as Alana shares her experience of what it took for her to increase her capacity to do what she loves and feels called to do, you'll hear about the lessons she learned. These lessons can help you make decisions about how to clear up your mental and physical clutter and increase your own capacity to do more of what you love and feel called to do.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

View Details

A few years ago Sione and Alana sat down with Jess and she shared with them a wonderful story about an experience she had while giving donkeys some water during a hot summer day and what it taught her.

The lesson was that the Lord knows what we need and what's best for our growth and ability to reach our potential. Sometimes we get exactly what we need, but we get frustrated and complain because it's not what we expected.

In this episode, Sione and Alana revisit this story and share a few of the lessons that stuck out to them and how it can help us when things don't go the way we expect them to.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Connect with Jess: https://www.jestkeptsecret.com/

God is the Gardner video: https://youtu.be/oDrhvm9EnJ4?si=okL7guZbDfRBx-8E

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

Powerful questions can direct our focus and attention. They can increase our awareness and help us to recognize the value of our experiences. They can also motivate us and increase our abilities to take empowered actions to improve ourselves, our lives, and our circumstances.

In this episode, Alana shares several questions to help you reflect on the value of this past year as she recounts some of her greatest regrets and discoveries from answering these questions herself.

The questions from this episode will have you reflecting on the following:

• your growth or lack of growth this year and what it means to you
• the mistakes you've made and how to get the most out of them
• your financial decisions and what they can teach you about your priorities and values
• how your experiences this year fit into the big picture

To get a pdf version of the questions asked in this episode, go to https://sioneandalana.com/resources

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

When it comes to achieving success and enjoying a life of fulfillment, there is an important step that is often underestimated.

In this episode, Sione and Alana discuss the importance of discovering, acknowledging, and knowing what you want.

They share some tips and ideas for how to increase your awareness to what you want and what is possible for you to go and get those things so that you can enjoy a life of success and your dreams.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

If goal setting is overwhelming and you often find yourself disappointed in yourself if you don't hit a goal perfectly, it very well may be because the goals you are setting are too easy. What?!

Yes, and that's even if you set goals that are big enough to scare you.

That's right, if the goal is within reach, you're doing it wrong and it's the reason you end up feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and like you aren't good enough when things don't go according to plan.

This is just one of the many reasons why Alana stopped setting attainable goals this year. And why she plans to only set impossible goals moving forward.

In this episode, she shares why impossible goals are actually more fun than any S.M.A.R.T. goal would be. Striving to achieve an impossible goal is less stressful, will boost your confidence and motivation, and your results with be evidence that we often see ourselves as less capable than we truly are.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

We can learn a lot from trees.

One of the most important lessons is that we are not meant to be in Spring and production mode year-round.

Sometimes we feel guilty about needing to slow down, to take time for rest and recovery, and not always exerting the same amount of effort in building our businesses or leading our teams. But just like trees, there are times when we need to focus on surviving the winters so we can be ready to produce again come spring.

In this episode, Sione and Alana share a few lessons that they've learned from trees and how these lessons can help us be better producers in our businesses and lives.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

Life and work should be fun.

We all have responsibilities and things that we need to get done. Especially as leaders.

The work we do matters, but that doesn't mean we have to be miserable in order to leave an impact on the world and those we lead.

We've found that by doing the following three things we've been able to increase the level of fulfillment and joy in our lives.

1. Do more of what you love
2. Do less of what you tolerate
3. Do none of what you hate

In this episode, we discuss how we've been able to implement these three principles we learned from Darren Hardy into our lives and some ideas for ways that you can as well.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

How do you snap out of a grumpy attitude when things are stressful or overwhelming?

That's the question that inspired this episode.

Sione and Alana discuss 3 practices that will increase your gratitude for your past, present, and future circumstances and the value those circumstances have for your life.

Practicing the following will not only increase your gratitude, but they also have the potential to increase your confidence and self-image as well:

1. Look at the past through a lens of gratitude
2. Savor the good
3. Ask, "Why would future me thank me for this moment?"

The fact that gratitude can continue to increase the value of our experiences makes its worth infinite.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

Not all success rules are created equal. In fact some of the rules for success that you've adopted are most likely holding you back or overcomplicating your process.

In this episode, Alana shares how you can tell if a success rule you've adopted needs to go, so that you can start enjoying the process more.

Our success rules impact the way we measure our worth in the marketplace and self-image.

1. The level of success we’ll allow ourselves to maintain is directly related to the level of success we believe we deserve and are worth.
2. Many of us allow our image of success to hold our happiness hostage (in other words, we believe or feel that we won’t be happy until we attain success in some specific way)
3. The actual rules about what success is, are the very things keeping us from acknowledging success and the value we are actually bringing to the world by being in it.

It's time to get out of own way and help others recognize their value as well.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

Sometimes it's worth it to focus and go faster and sometimes is more worth it to split your time and efforts between two things that are of equal importance.

In this episode, Alana discusses the saying that if it's worth doing, it's worth doing well, and how to increase the awareness of what is of greater worth and worth doing for you.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

While Sione and I were in Utah we did 5 escape rooms over the course of 8 days.

Doing that many escape rooms over such a short period of time led us to recognize a few patterns that also apply to being successful as we go after our goals.

In this episode, we'll share 7 lessons that escape rooms taught us that also apply to how to effectively pursue our goals.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Shop our Empowered Hero Apparel:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmpoweredHeroApparel

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

When we're ready to level up or tackle our next problem the most common advice we're given is to do our research, turn to experts, and put in the work. But there is one thing that we so often overlook, and it's often a treasure trove of solutions and definitely a way to feel more confident and empowered as we move forward.

In this episode, Alana talks about that one resource that is often forgotten and undervalued, even though it also often holds the answers we're looking for.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

Don't underestimate the impact of your knowledge. Even the most common lessons can turn out to be golden nuggest for someone else and perhaps even yourself.

There's something really interesting about these lessons that we've been noticing. 

Lessons have layers.

There is a significant wealth of knowledge that we may not realize we posess. 

In this episode Sione and Alana touch on the importance of looking back to find golden nuggets that will enhance your life as you go forward.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast. 

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle mentality, the grind, and all or nothing mindset when we see it everywhere around us. But there's a cost that comes with this way of thinking.

In this episode, Alana shares how she learned the importance of choosing the right goals, choosing the right pace to go after them, and keeping the big picture of success in mind.

The compound effect works both ways. When we consistently do small and simple things that help us progress and grow toward our best selves, the effects are amazing. But when we consistently stop doing those small and simple things, we end up going backward and creating a whole new set of problems and clutter to deal with that we didn't have before.

Creating and maintaining success that lasts has a lot to do with being able to keep everything in its proper perspective and know when it's best to speed up or slow down. This episode will help you learn more about how to do that.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

Watching Iam Tongi's journey to winning American Idol this year reminded us of the power and influence that authenticity and music can have in our lives.

In this episode, Alana shares some of her experiences of what it was like to watch other people react to Iam Tongi's American Idol audition video and then see him perform Monsters live with James Blunt on the show's finale. See the videos she refers to below:

• Video of Iam Tongi's American Idol audition: https://youtu.be/S_MAesZsnMk
• How did Iam Tongi Make American Idol Judgest THAT Emotional video: https://youtu.be/s0NxOiEwrUg
• Iam Tongi & James Blunt: Super Emotional Duet of "Monsters" Makes Idol History video: https://youtu.be/M9hdHDXyo-8

Reflecting on the power of music inspired us to pull out a portion of an interview we did with American Idol alumnus, Katie Higley and share it in this episode.

Katie shares more about her TEDex talk, "It's okay not to be okay", her experience in helping a friend share a message about choosing to live after attempting to take his life, and how it helped her through a difficult time in her own life.

Life Lesson:

The emotions we feel need to be expressed. When we suppress emotions it can turn into depression. And music is one of the tools that we can use to help us express and release the emotions that may be stuck in our bodies.

Want to connect with Katie Higley?

• Find her on Instagram at: @katiehigleymusic
• Learn more about how you can take music lessons from her on her website: katiehigley.com

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world?

Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

Sometimes when we think about what it will take to make an impact or to have greater influence, we think it will take a lot of work and effort. But that isn't always the case.

Sometimes all it takes is something small and simple to increase our impact and influence on the lives of those around us.

In this episode, Alana is sharing a few experiences and examples that prove, doing just a little bit more than what is expected can have a huge impact on our ability to be a person of influence and to make a difference.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world? Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

In this episode, we sit down with Gavon Wong, host of the Ho'oikaika Youtube Channel and podcast.

Ho'oikaika means to strengthen in Hawaiian. His show is all about empowering Polynesian men to learn how to cope with the stresses of life in healthy ways. It is also a great resource for women to know how to better support Polynesian men in their life.

In our conversation with Gavon, we discuss several experiences throughout his life that have helped him in coping with ADHD, suicidal thoughts, the passing of his mother at a young age, and how those lessons have had an impact on his career, marriage, his relationship with his children, and as he hosts his show.

Want to connect with Gavon?

Visit his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@hooikaika

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world? Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

To wrap up our financial literacy series, we are sharing our top 5 book recommendations to increase your financial literacy.

When you want to improve your finances, there are two areas to increase your awareness on:

• Financial IQ: how to make money, how money works, how to manage money, etc.
• Financial EQ: how your beliefs and relationship with money impact your ability to reach your financial goals

These books are the books Sione always shared with our clients or people when they found out he was a financial coach. These books helped us is building a healthy foundation in our IQ and EQ around money.

What do you don't know can hurt you, and the moment you become aware of a thing, you change it.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world? Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

After years of teaching financial education, we've been able to help several individuals and families reach their financial goals. Despite our financial knowledge around helping others learn how to better make and manage money, we found ourselves struggling to raise our net worth or to maintain our own financial successes. Eventually, we realized it all had to do with our mindsets and attitudes around being wealthy, money, and self-worth.

Some of our beliefs and feelings were actually blocking our success, causing us to self-sabotage, and keeping us stuck.

This realization led Alana on a mission to learn as much as she could about mental and emotional money blocks that keep us from reaching our financial goals and living the lives of our dreams.

In this episode, Alana shares 7 of the blocks that she's discovered and a few tips on how to remove them.

The 7 money blocks are:

1. You feel or believe that it is hard to make money and increase your income
2. You don't like spending money
3. You are a bad receiver
4. You don't like having money
5. You believe that all debt is bad and should be avoided
6. You believe there is a capacity or limit to how much you can make or earn
7. You have a negative perception of people who have a lot of money

Resources to improve your relationship with money:

Here are a few of our favorite programs and books that have helped us to remove our money blocks:

• The Millionaire Mindset from John Assaraf
• Winning the Game of Money Program (we love listening to the innercises from this)

*Sione and Alana will earn a commission from any purchases made through the above links at no extra cost to you. They only recommend things that we've used and absolutely love.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world? Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

Volatility causes uncertainty in the marketplace. But, those who know how to take advantage of it, are able to thrive during these seasons of life.

In this episode, Sione shares a few of the lessons that he's learned about volatility and what we can do to take advantage of it when it comes to our personal finances.

There are three key areas to be aware of:

1. when will volatility happen
2. the decision you must make if you want to survive and thrive
3. what to do now to prepare and equip yourself

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world? Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

What can we do to give ourselves a financial advantage?

In this episode, Sione and Alana sit down with Tara Shim as she shares her financial journey and how a couple of board games, a monthly allowance, and investing in herself and her financial education changed her life.

Raised in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii by a single mother from the time she was about 6 or 7 years old with very little money, her mom bought her a board game for a dollar. Playing that game every day and learning to manage the monthly allowance from her father was the foundation that started her on her journey to owning multiple properties as a real estate investor, and a realtor, and the ability to travel several times a year with her family today.

And boy was there a lot of lessons along the way.

Want to connect with Tara Shim?

Find her on Instagram @tara.shim or linktr.ee/tara101

Contact her if you're ready to buy or sell a home in Hawaii

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Connect with Alana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world? Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

A few of the things that we can count on happening in life and as leaders is that things will go wrong, mistakes will be made, we can't plan for everything, and plans will need to change from time to time.

So how can we avoid getting frustrated and better prepare ourselves to respond to our circumstances when things like this happen?

Is it possible to create a buffer to allow room for error and prevent the negative spiral that could happen when things don't go according to plan?

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Sione and Alana sit down and share four different mindsets to adopt and practice when things don't go according to plan.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Connect with Alana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world? Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

Being too invested in reaching our goals can lead us to overvalue the result and undervalue the process.

Is being goal-oriented overrated?

What does manipulation have to do with being overly goal oriented?

How can we go after our goals without burning out or ruining our relationships?

What does it mean to be growth-oriented?

In this episode, Alana shares how her relationship with goals and goal setting has evolved and some of the things that she does to set and have goals without letting them wreck havoc on her life, self-image, and confidence.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Connect with Alana @alanauyema

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider and get updates on when new episodes drop, the behind-the-scenes scoops, and other life lessons that never make it on the podcast.

Have a life lesson to share with the world? Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

Do you have an investor or a spender mindset?

When it comes to having an investor or spender mindset it doesn't only impact our finances. Our mindset will impact the way we choose to invest or spend our time, in our relationships, and in how we lead.

Seeing the stark contrast that these two mindsets have led to in the various organizations they've worked with inspired Sione & Alana to share what they've learned about how to recognize what kind of mindset you are operating from and how to pivot if need be.

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, they compare and contrast the two ways of thinking. One mindset can be your greatest asset, while the other can become your greatest liability.

A few things they discuss in this episode include:

• Why it's important to have a WHY or purpose and what to do if you haven't quite figured that out for yourself yet.
• Why speed isn't everything
• The value of big-picture thinking over getting short-term results
• The benefits of having clarity and focus
• Choosing sustainability over quick fixes
• Internal vs cosmetic changes
• Focusing on becoming over having
• The value of investing in your producers
• The cost of neglecting or over-leveraging your assets
• The mentality that you never arrive

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider.

Have a life lesson to share with the world? Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Alana shares a few lessons she's learned about how to better measure the value of time and money.

There is a lie, that time is money, that most of us have been brainwashed into believing. This lie skews the way we measure our worth and the value that we are able to bring to the marketplace and the world around us. In most cases, it is the reason it is so easy to sell ourselves short.

Instead of equating time to money, it is more helpful to equate our time to our life.

Time=Life

A more empowering way to measure money is to equate it to the value that is being exchanged.

Money=Value

Alana also shares a few tips to get more from the time that we do have and how to spend our time with more intention; because we can spend our time however we want, but we can only spend it once.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider.

Have a life lesson to share with the world? Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

In this short episode, Sione shares two experiences that helped him to realize the importance of being teachable. A few lessons and tips from this episode:

• As we learn new things we are often able to find out how to get the same results faster.
• Never assume that you've arrived and that there is nothing left to learn.
• Allow others to teach you.
• When we are able to accomplish our goals or get results faster, our confidence increases, and that increase in confidence allows us to set even bigger goals.
• The key to accelerating our progress is to never stop learning.

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Subscribe to their email list and become a Sione & Alana Insider

Have a life lesson to share with the world? Apply to be a guest at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

Sione and Alana celebrate their 18 year wedding anniversary by sitting down and sharing some of the lessons they've learned about relationships.

Some of the things they discuss:

• having an attitude of appreciation
• the habit & "game" of serving one another
• expressing gratitude and appreciation for one another
• the need to feel seen, hear, and understood
• your responsibility in a relationship
• the only helpful assumption to have in relationships
• tips for communication
• the value of vulnerability
• approaching relationships with curiosity, no matter how long you've been in it
• how past experiences impact present relationships
• having shared goals
• keeping score & collecting ammo that will strengthen the relationship
• praising and supporting one another
• learning from the examples of others
• being intentional in your relationships

Want to connect with Sione & Alana?

Find them on Instagram or Facebook @sioneandalana

Get the latest updates and behind the scenes details

Become a Sione & Alana Insider at https://sioneandalana.com/insider, it's free

Have a life lesson that others could benefit from?

Apply to be a guest so we can share your story at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

What if, at the end of each day, you felt like it was a success?

Does goal setting sometimes leave you feeling anxious?

Are you tired of feeling disappointed in yourself or overwhelmed and like you’re behind even when you are putting in your best efforts to reach your goals?

In this episode, Alana shares the value she's found by thinking of success as a feeling and using that feeling as a guide when making decisions and creating plans for going after her goals.

Too often, success is defined as something one can only obtain if they reach a certain goal or status. It's thought of as an event, when in actuality, success is more of an ongoing process and experience that can be cultivated.

Shifting the way we look at success can allow us to have more control, confidence, and power as we design a lifestyle that feels successful.

When we think of success as a feeling, It’s less about what we’re hoping to accomplish and more about how we’ll feel because we’re going on that journey. It allows us to better recognize and acknowledge our progress instead of getting so caught up in what still lies ahead.

So what does success feel like to you? Does the way you’ve been setting goals and scheduling your life allow you to feel like you're "successing"? 

Success doesn’t just happen. It happens when we know what we want and we’re aware that we’re taking actions that are leading us towards those desires. Tune in to hear how you can use your feelings of success as a guide when turning your goals into a plan and more.

View Details

Sione sat down to reflect on one of the lessons that stood out to him the most during 2023.

The lesson was all about time and making time for the things & people that matter most.

A few tips he shares in this episode include:

1. Scheduling time in for the people and priorities in your life
2. If you find yourself too busy, cut out the things that are not necessities so that you have availability for the things that are priorities
3. Create systems to get things done more effectively and efficiently and you can free up more time for the things that matter most
4. Say "Thank you, but no thank you" to any and all invitations that don't help you with more time for your priorities

Connect with Sione and Alana on Instagram @sioneandalana or become a Sione & Alana Insider at sioneandalana.com

View Details

We're relaunching the Recounting Life Lessons podcast! 

Here's the official announcement, as well as a quick lesson on setting intentions over having expectations.

What started out as an opportunity to dive deeper into lessons that we were sharing as we went out on mini adventures exploring our new backyard in the Pacific Northwest has evolved into something so much more. Our lessons were random and all over the place, but as we've grown in our leadership, in our businesses, and as individuals, we've realized we want to be more intentional about the kind of lessons that we'll be sharing. 

If you consider yourself a leader, teacher, coach, mentor, entrepreneur, growth-minded, an impact maker, or someone driven to reach your fullest potential, the new Recounting Life Lessons episodes are for you.

A few topics our episodes will touch on include, leadership, teaching, productivity & time management, mindset, and personal development. 

We're excited to continue growing alongside you!

Sione & Alana

#morefreedomeveryday

View Details

When it comes to goal setting, sometimes it's difficult to know what kind of goals to set for ourselves. Do we just copy what those around us are doing? Do we just set a goal that makes sense with what we are already doing?

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Alana shares 2 simple but powerful exercises that can help you choose goals that will add the most value and fulfillment to your life. You'll also be able to learn when and how to do these exercises to prepare yourself for the holidays and goal-setting season.

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that we can all tap into as we pause and ponder to look for the impacts of good that even the simplest of things have in our life. It helps us to appreciate more and take less for granted. As the depth of our gratitude increases, so too does the depth of our abundance.

When we truly know what we want and value we will act with more confidence and intention. It heightens our awareness of what is important and what is not. It filters out the noise of distraction and gives meaning and purpose to our choices. Ultimately it enriches our lives as we act in accordance with that knowledge.

View Details

Stop playing the sidekick or victim in your life and be the hero.

In this solo episode, Alana shares about the moment she realized that she was playing the role of the sidekick in all the areas of her life that she was feeling frustrated and stuck in.

Since then, she has intentionally chosen to step up as the hero and can identify what it looks like when she or anyone is choosing to play the victim or sidekick instead.

In this episode, she shares what each of these roles looks like so that you can identify which role you are taking on at any given moment in time. She also shares how to identify the villain inside of your head that is always there, trying to hold you back, and what to do to keep that villain in check.

Listen to the end for a handful of ideas on how to start showing up as the hero of your own story.

Connect with Sione and Alana on Instagram @sioneandalana or at sioneandalana.com

View Details

Sione and Alana sit down with mindset mentor, Alanna Lalor who uses the precious gifts of time to inspire women to become the heroes of their own stories.

Together, they discuss how can you use time as a tool and motivator to inspire you to take the actions that will help you reach your potential and enjoy more of your life and time doing the things you love the most.

Connect with Alanna at www.alanna-lalor.com.au or on Instagram at @alanna_lalor

Mention that you listened to this episode and get 30% off a session with her.

To work with Sione and Alana to reach your financial goals visit https://saumoney.com

Become a Sione and Alana Insider for weekly life lessons sent to your email at https://sioneandalana.com/insider

View Details

Having the ability to choose, alone, is not enough to enjoy the blessings of agency. To unlock the true power of our ability to choose, we must make committed decisions.

The act of intentionally making a committed decision to do or not to do something is one of the most underrated habits, that if we take the time and effort to develop, it will unlock a life of more freedom, more joy, more fulfillment, and a feeling of empowerment.

When we don't make decisions, we allow individuals and circumstances outside of ourselves to make those decisions for us.

In this episode, Alana shares some of her thoughts and experiences around overcoming indecision. She also shares a few tips that she has used to have greater confidence in decision-making.

View Details

There are times in our lives when we meet individuals who just make everything and everyone around them better. In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Sione talks about some of the lessons that he's learned from his late grandmother about being the kind of person who's presence is a gift that we could all emulate to make the world around us a better place.

View Details

In this special anniversary episode, Sione and Alana sit down to recount a few of their favorite life lessons. Of all the lessons they've shared on their YouTube channel, here on the podcast, and in their weekly emails, these are the 3 that have been the most impactful and reaffirming in their life. To become a Sione and Alana Insider, subscribe at sioneandalana.com/insider

View Details

Sione and Alana talk with Leialoha Humpherys, author of Aloha State of Mind to discuss what it means to create paradise wherever you are.

They discuss Hawaiian values like ho'ohana (to do meaningful work), ohana (love of family), aloha (living with love), and laulima (many hands) and how these values can help us to make the most of our circumstances.

Connect with Leialoha on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ladyleialoha/ or on her website https://naturallyaloha.com/

Aloha State of Mind is available on Amazon at: here

View Details

Our beliefs can empower us or they can hold us back and even cause us to self-sabotage our efforts made toward success.

So how do we know if our beliefs are helping us or holding us back?

In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, Sione shares a few experiences that helped him identify a limiting belief. He also shares why we hold all the power in being able to reframe those beliefs that are holding us back.

Want to continue the conversation? Visit us at sioneandalana.com or send us an email or message.

Connect with us via email at theduo@sioneandalana.com or on Instagram @sioneandalana

View Details

If we aren't paying attention, we'll miss out on the pearls of wisdom that show up in our lives and they can easily slip through our fingers.

In this solo episode, Alana shares about an experience that helped her realize how easy it is to miss out on the lessons that life is eager to teach us. She also shares what we can do to take care in collecting the lessons and things that we want more of in our lives.

Connect with Sione and Alana on Instagram @sioneandalana or on their website https://sioneandalana.com

Have an experience and life lesson that you'd like to share with Sione and Alana on the podcast?

Contact us at https://sioneandalana.com/sharealesson/

View Details

Do you ever find yourself wanting to feel more fulfilled and happy with where you are in your life and with what you have?

Between unexpected setbacks, feeling like we aren't where we thought we would have been by now, or being surrounded by others who seem to be getting and doing what we haven't been able to do just yet, there are so many things that we can become disappointed with.

How do we prevent these disappointments from robbing us of our joy?

In this episode, Sione and Alana discuss the 5 things that they've discovered help them love where they are, both physically as well as in their goals and circumstances; especially when they aren't where they would have anticipated being.

This episode isn't meant to give you all the answers, to help you achieve your goals faster, or solve the problems that you are currently facing. It's also not meant to eliminate the presence of disappointment in your life. And while the exact examples and tips shared may not work for everyone, the principles behind each of these tips can inspire you to come up with things that you can do to add joy and fulfillment to the setbacks and disappointments that come during any growth journey.

Want to become email pen pals with Sione and Alana?

Become a Sione and Alana insider: https://sioneandalana.com/insider

View Details

In this episode, Sione interviews Alana on one of her favorite lessons, "It's better to focus on progress over done".

Eliminate the stress, overwhelm, and constant feelings of being behind by shifting your focus from the end results to the opportunities to make progress. Add more joy back into the journey and create a greater potential for increasing your confidence as well.

View Details

In this episode, Sione and Alana share the benefits of taking action and it's ability to increase confidence and clarity. They also talk about:

• How to overcome analysis paralysis
• Setting helpful expectations
• How to better figure out what you want
• How to make better use of your time if you haven’t started yet

They are recounting life lesson 19, "Clarity intensifies with action" which they originally shared in their YouTube video of the same title.

View Details

Fear can be debilitating at times and even prevents us from having, sharing, and doing the things that we love.

In this episode, Sione and Alana are sharing what they've done to go from being too fearful to do what they love and wanted to do, to getting to have, share, and do that thing more often.

They also share the 5 things you can do to stop fears from disempowering you so that you can have, share, and get more of what you love in your life as well.

View Details

If you look at life through a lens of scarcity there will never be enough, but if you can look at it through a lens of abundance, you will see that in actuality, there is more than enough good to go around.

But how do we remove those blinders and get better at seeing the good? How do we live with an abundance mentality? And is it really worth the effort?

That's what Sione and Alana are discussing in this episode as they recount life lesson 17: There's more than enough good to go around.

View Details

Failure is a part of life, in fact, it is a part of the process when we are going after our goals and striving to grow.

While "Fabulous" may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of failing, it can be fabulous. All you need is the proper perspective and the tools to allow failure to propel you forward.

Our failures don’t define WHO we are, they do, however, help us to define WHERE we are. When we realize this, we can stop worrying about failing and instead, improve on our weaknesses and turn those failures into something fabulous. Failing is not WHO we are, it is something we will sometimes do. Unless you are perfect, it’s going to happen, so we're sharing our top 6 tips for failing fabulously:

1. Reassess
2. Try again from your strengths or the strengths of others
3. Acknowledge, track, and celebrate progress
4. Go all in and play full out
5. Embrace it as part of the process
6. Don't quit too soon

This episode was inspired by our visit to Gravity Hill and life lesson 16, "If at first, you don't succeed, reassess then try again".

Ideas for applying this lesson:

Take some time to look at your failures, is there a way to turn those failures into something fabulous?

• Pick a failed attempt and identify a way you can better use your strengths or the strengths of others as resources to help you succeed faster than you would have by going at it without them.
• Pick a failure, ask yourself if you’ve made any progress since you've started. Have you learned anything new? How much closer to your goal are you now then you were then? Do you have a way to track that progress that can help you celebrate and see that progress more often?
• Practice embracing failure as part of the process and as steps that lead to success. Go all in and play full out toward something you almost feel like you would be guaranteed to fail at and do it anyway. For inspiration check out Jia Jang’s 100 days of rejection: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFhaLqSKsE3If1gxADwfpLL3IfIbl7j7w

Never miss a lesson or an episode by becoming a Sione and Alana Insider at https://sioneandalana.com/insider and if you want to discuss this lesson in further detail send us a DM on Instagram @sioneandalana

View Details

Going through the journey adds value to the destination itself. As convenient as a free handout or teleporting may sound, we end up missing out on the skills, knowledge, or known and unknown experiences that we'd have and develop along the way.

Are we living for the destination or do we make the journey itself just as enjoyable to experience and live as we are anticipating the destination to be?

For more ideas and inspiration on how to design and live a life of greater joy and empowerment, sign up to become a Sione and Alana Insider at https://sioneandalana.com/insider, visit our website at sioneandalana.com, or come connect with us on Facebook and Instagram @sioneandalana.

View Details

Life Lesson 14 is about how making personal development and growth a habit makes serving others effortless when the time to serve comes up.

It was inspired after the funeral wreaths that were created by the hands of many came together in such a meaningful and effortless way during our trip to Hawaii to be with family during the sudden passing of our sister.

In this episode, we're discussing how making personal development a habit allows our skills, strengths, and talents to be used to serve more often and with less effort on our part.

We're also discussing how to track and develop new good habits, how to identify your strengths, and how to choose which skills or talents to focus on developing.

For all the links and resources mentioned in this episode visit https://sioneandalana.com/podcast/ep-14-growths-impact/

View Details

While we can't control everything in our circumstances, there are a lot of things that we do have control of. In this episode, Sione and Alana discuss 5 things to consider when choosing and creating environments for success.

1. The cost of distractions in your environment
2. The safety of your environments
3. Keeping an open mind, staying curious, and keeping your expectations in check
4. The simple question: Is this empowering or disempowering?
5. The tough questions in determining what to allow in your environments

The discussion goes over productivity, distractions, relationships, basic needs, and a few principles to use to choose and create environments where you can thrive and succeed in.

This lesson was inspired by the hike to the Lanikai pillboxes: https://youtu.be/ykBTNduM6Yo

Other links mentioned:

Lee Ann Singleton @leeann.believeinyourself

Video with Suzanne Mikula https://youtu.be/78ya2b8OhW4

Share your thoughts one choosing and creating environments for success at https://sioneandalana.com/podcast/ep-13-environments-for-success/

View Details

Life Lesson 12 is all about trying new things and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone in order to be a better advocate and increase our empathy.

The lesson itself is inspired by the discoveries of new loves as we've tried things we didn't think we'd initially like.

But as we took a deeper look at this life lesson, we realized that it is a great rule of thumb to help us grow as individuals and be better teachers, leaders, friends, and advocates when we recognize that others are being judged unfairly.

We are discussing how our backgrounds have helped us realize the blessings of consistent exposure to new things and are sharing 7 guidelines we use to make trying new things a habit that enhances our lives.

Join in the conversation at sioneandalana.com or @sioneandalana across Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Become a Sione and Alana Insider to stay up to date on new lessons and adventures at sioneandalana.com/insider

View Details

Fear. It's not usually an emotion that one would associate with feelings of empowerment. But what if we told you that it is actually possible to respond to fear in ways that left you feeling empowered and able to live with greater joy and confidence?

That's what we share in this episode of the Recounting Life Lessons podcast. We are sharing 5 empowering ways to respond to fear and use it to your advantage.

No more letting fear control your life, use it as a tool to enhance it instead.

In this episode, we also mention the video of our visit to the Seattle Space Needle. To watch that video visit https://sioneandalana.com/counting-life-lessons/s1e10/

View Details

Life Lesson 10 is that the people we share our adventures with will make or break them.

Who you choose to surround yourself with matters, and who you choose to be matters as well.

We share how those we spend our time with has impacted our lives and how we choose who we want to spend the majority of our time with to make the journey through life more enjoyable.

You cannot change the people around you, but you can change the people that you choose to be around.

Links mentioned:

• Hot Air Balloon Festival https://youtu.be/SH5QHH1v4bk

To continue the conversation, come and leave a comment at https://sioneandalana.com/podcast/podcast-ep-10-your-presence-impacts/

View Details

Life Lesson 9 is that celebrations are not just for the ones being celebrated.

When physical distance keeps us apart it may seem that a proper celebration is out of the question. But we discuss ways in which physical distance can be an opportunity to make celebrations more meaningful and how to use it as a catalyst to better feed our needs for love and connection.

As is the case with all of our episodes, we'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback at https://sioneandalana.com or on any of our social channels @sioneandalana

View Details

Life Lesson 8 is "You don't have to wait for adventures and memories, create them!"

This lesson and episode is one about empowerment and seizing the moments.

While it is easy to sometimes feel like everyone else is experiencing the things you want to do it is important to remember that if we don't like the circumstances that we are in we have the power to go out and create some that we do like.

As is the case with all of our episodes, we'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback at https://sioneandalana.com or on any of our social channels @sioneandalana

View Details

Life Lesson 7 is "The right perspective can make all the difference in the world."

More than that, though, it makes all the difference in YOUR world.

Our perspectives dictate our feelings, our actions, and our lives.

Sometimes these perspectives are helpful. They protect us and keep us safe. But when we are wanting to grow and achieve things outside of our comfort zones they can also be the cause of resistance that keeps us from taking action.

In this episode, Sione and Alana discuss how to shift our perspectives intentionally to get ourselves taking the actions we know we need to take in order to do the things necessary to achieve our worthy ideals.

View Details

Life Lesson 6 is all about regret: "You can't learn from your regrets if you don't acknowledge them.

Are regrets really all that bad? In this episode, we go into why instead of striving to live a life without regrets we should strive to live a life without WASTED regrets.

Regrets aren't bad, in fact, if you know how to use them they can be a catalyst for good and growth in your life.

Continue the conversation of this episode at https://sioneandalana.com/podcast/ep-6-you-cant-learn-from-your-regrets-if-you-dont-acknowledge-them/

View Details

Life Lesson 5 is "you control your attitude, your circumstances do not."

In this episode, we take you into what we like to call the Positive Mental Attitude Matrix.

Life happens, and there are good and bad things that we each go through. We discuss how to win at life and share ways in which you can actually own your power to take control of your attitude during the lows of life. We even discuss how the less than ideal circumstances of life are beneficial and actions you can take when these types of situations arise.

To continue the conversation and share your ideas and insights with others as well as see an example of a hero's journey story visit https://sioneandalana.com/ep-5-you-control-your-attitude

View Details

Life Lesson 4 is to "Love all but protect the ones you love."

In this episode, we're talking about love.

We discuss how it can be possible to love everyone, even if their actions cause harm to the ones we care about most. We also get into how to better love ourselves and those closest to us. Ultimately we weigh in on what each of us can do to put more love into the world to make it a better place.

Come say hello at https://sioneandalana.com or at https://instagram.com/sioneandalana and let us know your ideas for how to add a little more love to the world.

We share more behind the scenes insights and goodies with our Insiders. Becoming a Sione and Alana Insider is free and you can sign up at https://sioneandalana.com/insider

View Details

In this episode, we share our experiences with prayer and how much it's helped us in the various aspects of our lives. Be it big or small, help is often just a prayer away.

Once you've listened, come let us know of a way that prayer has helped you in your life. Leave us a comment on our latest IG or Facebook post.

Want to see the adventure that inspired this lesson? You can watch it here.

We share more behind the scenes insights and goodies with our Insiders. Becoming a Sione and Alana Insider is free and you can sign up here.

View Details

In this episode, we’re discussing life lesson #2: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This lesson is so much more than a lesson on teamwork. We’ll touch on:

Our favorite definition of success, why the small and simple habits matter, why rest and recovery are just as important as doing the work itself, and of course some tips, mindset, and examples to help you elevate the joy in your life.

Once you've listened, let us know how you'll be applying this lesson in your life at https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana/ or https://facebook.com/sioneandalana

View Details

In this episode, we take a closer look at the benefits of beginning with the end in mind. When properly applied beginning with the end in mind can help you:

• have more time and energy
• have a clearer sense of purpose and direction
• make better use of your resources
• live each day with greater joy and confidence.

It can be applied to a business, relationships, our day, our year, and even our entire life.

We discuss these benefits, the different ways we've used this life lesson ourselves, some ways you can use it in your life, and more.

View Details

Life is an amazing teacher! If you pay close enough attention it can also teach you the lessons necessary to live a life of joy.

Hello, welcome to our very first episode! We are so glad you're here and hope you'll be able to get to know us and grow to recognize us as friends or ohana in your life.

This podcast will be an opportunity to sit back and relax as we share the lessons that life has taught us with you. We want it to feel like you are sitting with us in our living room as we recount the lessons that life has taught us and some of our favorite ways these lessons have also blessed our lives.

Before we dive into those lessons, we're taking this first episode to let you know a little bit more about who we are. We sincerely hope that we can be friends!

We have some pretty exciting things coming out soon, so let's make the friendship official and sign up at https://sioneandalana.com/insider so we can keep you in the loop.

And don't forget to come and introduce yourself to us over at https://www.instagram.com/sioneandalana/ because we want to get to know you too.