COURAGE UNLOCKED: Recent Episodes

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Dr. Rana is a marketing strategist, global speaker, academic researcher and author, and dedicated advocate for small businesses. With a legacy rooted in resilience, from her grandfather's farming days to becoming the first in her family to earn a doctorate internationally, Rana's passion lies in helping others move the needle in their lives.

As the founder of Creative Minds and host of the Success Club Podcast, her impact includes:

• Empowering over 2,000 entrepreneurs and executives worldwide
• Speaking at Forbes Women’s Summit
• Delivering 3 TEDx talks across global stages (USA, Mexico, UK)
• Driving 300% growth for multinational brands as a former Marketing Director

With a Doctorate in Marketing and Consumer Behavior from France and a Postgrad Diploma in Digital Business Transformation from the USA, Dr. Rana brings 20+ years of experience to her roles as a business strategist, success coach, and university professor.

Her speaking engagements blend academic insights with real-world strategies, offering audiences actionable tactics for navigating today's complex business landscape. Whether addressing startup entrepreneurs or senior executives, Dr. Rana's talks are known for their engaging style and practical, results-driven content.

Dr. Rana's research-based approach has helped scale businesses across diverse industries and markets. Known for infusing entrepreneurship with innovation, she transforms visions into reality, empowering individuals and organizations to achieve their professional dreams in the global marketplace.

In this insightful episode of Courage Unlocked, Dr. Rana Sabra—marketing strategist, academic researcher, TEDx speaker, and champion for small businesses—dives into the evolving landscape of marketing. With over 20 years of experience in consumer behavior and digital business transformation, she brings a research-backed perspective on what’s working (and what’s not) in today’s fast-changing world.

Dr. Rana shares why human behavior, not just technology, is driving the future of marketing. She unpacks the power of personal branding, why businesses must prioritize long-form content over short viral moments, and how small businesses can stand out by building real trust with their audience.

She also shares her deeply personal mission to support Lebanese entrepreneurs affected by war, offering them free access to her signature mastermind program. Her passion for creating real change—both in marketing and in the lives of others—shines through in this conversation.

If you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, or business owner looking to build a brand that lasts, this episode is packed with invaluable wisdom.

Takeaways * Marketing is shifting back to human connection. + Social media is just a tool; what people really crave is trust, authenticity, and real experiences.

• Personal branding is for everyone.

• Whether you're a student, an entrepreneur, or a corporate leader, building a strong personal brand is key to standing out and creating impact.

• Long-form content is making a comeback.

• Quick viral moments don’t build lasting trust. Podcasts, YouTube videos, and deep-dive content are the future of marketing.

• Don’t obsess over social media metrics.

• A million followers don’t mean a million dollars. Focus on meaningful engagement and real connections.

• AI is a tool, not a replacement for strategy.

• Leveraging AI in marketing can save time, but human creativity and research-driven insights will always win.

• Small businesses have a ripple effect.

• Supporting small businesses, especially those in crisis, has a direct impact on communities and economies.

• Resilience is the foundation of success.

• Dr. Rana’s work with Lebanese women entrepreneurs proves that hope, education, and strategy can rebuild businesses and lives.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate the future of marketing with confidence and purpose. Join us as Dr. Rana Sabra shares her expertise, her passion, and her unwavering belief in the power of people over platforms.

Dr. Rana’s Links

• Instagram
• Linkedin
• Website
• Speaking Videos

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Dr. Nashira Kayode is a native to beautiful Southern California. She has spent the last 15 years as a professional in the mental health field as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She obtained a PhD in Public Policy and Administration with a Specialization in Criminal Justice in 2017. She is an expert in Forensic Social Work and has provided and directed mental health services throughout California in state, county, court, and private agencies. She created her agency, Kayode Psychotherapy and Consultation in 2017 (previously Funn Psychotherapy and Consultation). In her personal time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and 3 children. She is an enthusiastic basketball mom, so most evenings are spent cheering on her boys in the gym. In this eye-opening episode of Courage Unlocked, Michele sits down with Dr. Kayode to uncover the hidden realities of financial abuse, how it intersects with trauma, and the path to reclaiming financial freedom. This powerful conversation explores how financial abuse operates as a tool of control and how generational and personal trauma contribute to financial struggles. Dr. Kayode brings a wealth of insight, drawing on years of experience as a mental health professional, and highlights the ways that financial abuse can manifest—both subtly and overtly—in relationships, families, and even societal systems. Together, Michele and Dr. Kayode address the importance of financial literacy, trauma healing, and building systems of empowerment to create lasting change.

Whether you’ve faced financial control or want to better understand how trauma impacts money behavior, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and hope for those seeking true financial freedom.

Takeaways * Financial Abuse is About Control, Not Money + Financial abuse can take many forms, from controlling access to resources to interfering with earning potential. It’s not about the amount of money—it’s about the control.

• Trauma Shapes Financial Behavior

• Past traumas, like poverty or attachment wounds, can lead to financial control as a protective mechanism. Understanding these patterns is key to breaking free.

• Recognizing Subtle Signs

• Financial abuse often begins subtly, with actions like offering to “help” pay off debts or creating double standards around spending. Identifying these early signs is crucial.

• Wealth Doesn’t Erase Abuse

• Even those with financial means can experience financial abuse. In fact, sudden loss of access to wealth can be destabilizing and deeply traumatic.

• Financial Literacy Empowers Change

• Educating yourself about finances and taking steps to regain control can pave the way to independence and healing.

• Breaking Generational Cycles

• Healing from financial abuse and trauma not only helps individuals but also prevents cycles of harm from being passed to future generations.

Take the first step toward financial freedom by tuning in and sharing this episode with someone who needs it. Use #CourageUnlocked to join the conversation!

Dr. Kayode’s Links

• Instagram
• Linkedin
• Website
• Dr. Kayode’s Books

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Meagan Oberle is in the process of creating In The Blink, a fund dedicated to supporting individuals navigating loss—whether physical, emotional, or both. Inspired by her own journey after losing her husband to COVID-19 and her left eye in a dirt bike accident, Meagan helps the visually impaired secure prosthetic eyes while offering financial support, therapeutic resources, and a compassionate community for those adapting to life after trauma.

Through In The Blink, Meagan will empower others to find hope and healing. Her fund will provide practical resources, foster connection through community care, and amplify raw, real stories of resilience via her podcast, In The Blink. These stories remind people that while loss is life-changing, healing is always possible.

Meagan’s work is rooted in her belief that no one should navigate trauma alone. By turning her personal pain into purpose, she is helping others reclaim their sense of self, see the light at the end of the tunnel, and move forward with strength and support.

In this deeply moving episode of Courage Unlocked, Meagan shares her remarkable story of love, loss, and the fight for justice. After losing her husband to COVID-19 and enduring a life-changing accident that left her without an eye, Meagan turned her grief into a powerful mission to help others facing similar challenges.

The conversation delves into Meagan's advocacy work, particularly her plans to create scholarships and resources for those struggling with medical necessities that are often overlooked. Meagan's courage shines through as she recounts her battles with the healthcare system, the emotional toll of her experiences, and her unwavering determination to make a difference.

Through her vulnerability and strength, Meagan's story inspires us to find courage in our darkest moments and use our voices for good.

Takeaways * Turning Grief into Advocacy: + Meagan’s journey shows how personal tragedy can be transformed into a mission to support others facing similar struggles.

• The Power of Community:

• Meagan’s story highlights the importance of a strong support system, emphasizing that no one should have to go through tough times alone.

• Resilience in the Face of Adversity:

• Despite overwhelming challenges, Meagan’s resilience exemplifies the human capacity to rise above difficult circumstances.

• Fighting for What’s Right:

• Meagan’s advocacy for better healthcare resources underscores the necessity of standing up for justice and equity in healthcare.

• Healing Through Sharing:

• By sharing her story, Meagan not only heals herself but also offers hope and inspiration to others facing similar hardships.

• The Importance of Mental Health:

• Meagan’s experience highlights the mental health struggles that often accompany physical trauma and the importance of seeking help and support.

• Using Your Voice for Good:

• Meagan’s dedication to helping others reminds us all of the power of using our voice to create positive change.

This episode is a profound reminder of the courage it takes to face life’s challenges and the incredible strength that comes from advocating for others. Meagan’s journey is a beacon of hope and resilience for anyone navigating hardship. Tune in to be inspired by her unwavering spirit.

Meagan’s Links

• Instagram

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Amanda is a certified and trauma-trained mindfulness, emotional intelligence, somatics coach working specifically with parents, children and women. She is a nervous system authority, working with Unyte Integrated Listening to deliver their Safe and Sound Protocol for nervous system regulation. She is also a trained Myofascial Energetic Release bodyworker, and offers in person appointments in East Sussex, UK. She supports many different family and individual needs including trauma, Autism, ADHD, anxiety, emotional regulation, and more. Amanda is also a clinical nutritionist for over a decade working holistically with families.

In this compelling episode of Courage Unlocked, Amanda Ashy, a mindfulness coach, trauma specialist, and parent advocate, takes us through her journey of personal transformation and professional empowerment. Amanda shares her expertise in trauma-informed care, nervous system regulation, and holistic healing, providing powerful insights into how we can support neurodivergent families and foster emotional resilience.

Amanda opens up about her experiences with dyslexia, ADHD, and auditory processing issues, which have shaped her understanding of trauma and healing. She explains how these personal challenges inspired her to create safe spaces for others, especially parents and children navigating similar paths. Her work emphasizes compassion, curiosity, and the importance of addressing root causes to build secure attachments and healthier family dynamics.

This episode is a profound exploration of how trauma-informed care can revolutionize the way we support mental health, advocate for disability justice, and nurture our human connections.

Takeaways * Trauma-Informed Care Transforms Lives: + Understanding and addressing trauma’s root causes are essential for healing and building strong, resilient relationships.

• The Nervous System Holds the Key:

• Tools like somatic experiencing and the Safe and Sound Protocol can help regulate the nervous system, providing a foundation for emotional well-being.

• Compassion and Curiosity Lead to Connection:

• Approaching others with empathy and an open heart creates safe spaces for healing and growth, especially in parent-child relationships.

• Advocacy for Neurodivergent Families:

• Supporting families with neurodivergent children involves recognizing and accommodating their unique needs, fostering environments where they can thrive.

• Reclaiming Safety is a Journey:

• Healing from trauma is about creating a sense of safety in one’s body and environment, which Amanda emphasizes through her personal and professional experiences.

• Parenting with Love, Not Fear:

• Shifting from fear-based to love-based parenting practices helps children feel secure, understood, and valued.

• Breaking Cycles of Trauma:

• By addressing generational trauma and fostering informed, compassionate care, we can prevent the perpetuation of harm and nurture healthier futures.

This episode of Courage Unlocked is a must-listen for anyone interested in trauma-informed care, mental health advocacy, and building stronger, more compassionate communities. Join Amanda Ashy and Michele Waterman in a conversation that empowers listeners to find courage and healing in their own lives.

Amanda’s Links

• Instagram
• Linkedin
• Website

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Jazzie kicked off her entrepreneurial journey in 2021 after juggling three retail jobs at once and feeling drained by the daily grind. Realizing she was stuck in a life she didn’t really want, she launched Just Jazzie, a virtual assistant service for all. In just two months, she hit a $10,000 month, but at the cost of working over 15 hours a day and waking up already behind. That’s when it hit her—she started this business for freedom, not burnout!

So, Jazzie cut back on clients and embarked on a two-month trip that turned into two years of full-time travel. She explored eight countries in the first year and then went all the way around the world, visiting 20 countries across five continents.

Now, Jazzie has transformed Just Jazzie from task management into the ultimate business partnership for coaches looking to align their energy and elevate their business. Her unique gift of mixing strategy and energy ensures that her clients thrive with ease and joy. She chose to move to beautiful Barcelona, a place that perfectly matches what she needs for her lifestyle. Jazzie’s journey to living in alignment showcases the power of making decisions that truly resonate with who you are.

In this energizing episode of Courage Unlocked, Jazzie Newton, founder of Just Jazzie, shares her incredible journey from juggling three retail jobs to launching a thriving business that supports coaches and entrepreneurs worldwide. Jazzie’s story is one of transformation, courage, and alignment to create a life that is truly hers.

After realizing that she was working herself into burnout, Jazzie made a bold move to cut back on work and embark on a journey that turned into two years of full-time travel around the world. Visiting over 20 countries, she redefined success on her own terms, and learned how to blend strategy with energy to help her clients thrive with ease and joy.

This conversation dives deep into how Jazzie built a business that allows her to live a life of freedom, the lessons she learned from global travels, and the courage it took to step away from a conventional path to create something truly unique.

Takeaways * Redefining Success: + Jazzie shifted from burnout to balance by creating a business that supports her lifestyle goals, demonstrating that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of well-being.

• The Power of Alignment:

• By aligning her work with her values and passions, Jazzie found joy and ease in both her business and personal life.

• Travel as Transformation:

• Jazzie’s global journey not only broadened her horizons but also helped her reconnect with herself, showing the transformative power of stepping outside your comfort zone.

• Courage to Pivot:

• Recognizing the need for change, Jazzie courageously pivoted her business to focus on what she loves, highlighting the importance of adaptability in entrepreneurship.

• Learning Through Experience:

• Each client and challenge provided Jazzie with opportunities to learn and grow, turning her work into a continuous education in business and life.

• Freedom Through Systems:

• By developing effective systems, Jazzie created a business that runs smoothly and supports her travel lifestyle, offering her clients high-level strategic support.

• Community and Support:

• Jazzie’s success story emphasizes the importance of a strong support network, both professionally and personally, in achieving big dreams.

This episode is a masterclass in courage, resilience, and the pursuit of a life that’s truly your own. Join us as Jazzie Newton inspires us to unlock our potential and design a life we love!

Meagan’s Links

• Instagram
• Linkedin

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Bio: Located in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, 4Winds Farm offers a holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing. They address the constraints of traditional treatments through integrating the whole person; body, mind and spirit.

They are uniquely focused on dissolving diagnostic categories. They believe when you break down the diagnostic silos that tell people they are this-or-that type of person—we can connect with each other as humans and dramatically alter our personal trajectories.

They create this outcome through experiential, educational and therapeutic programs that give people an alternative to the clinical and medical interventions that have failed them. Through their deep understanding and work with traumatic memory they address unresolved trauma, PTS and co-occurring disorders.

They believe It is possible to transform trauma into strength, power and purpose. The process is a powerful healing and personal growth journey. It requires your volition and courage to transform painful experiences into sources of strength, wisdom, and empowerment.

Summary: In this transformative episode of Courage Unlocked, Dora and Bridget from 4Winds Farm share their groundbreaking approach to trauma-informed care. Located on a sprawling 134-acre farm in Colorado, 4Winds Farm is more than a retreat—it's a sanctuary for women seeking to heal deeply rooted trauma. With innovative therapies like somatic experiencing, equine therapy, and psychedelic-assisted treatments, they help women move from surviving to thriving, all without relying on psychotropic medications.

Dora and Bridget emphasize the importance of addressing the root causes of trauma through compassionate, holistic care. They discuss how traditional treatments often fall short for those with complex PTSD and advocate for a new standard of care that integrates body, mind, and spirit.

Their story is one of hope, resilience, and the courage to challenge conventional mental health practices. This episode is a testament to the power of nature, community, and the human spirit to heal.

Takeaways * Healing Through Root Cause Resolution: + 4Winds Farm focuses on addressing the root causes of trauma, helping women reclaim their power through non-traditional, holistic therapies.

• Nature as Medicine:

• The farm’s environment plays a crucial role in healing, offering a serene space where women connect with nature, themselves, and their journey.

• Innovative Therapies:

• Techniques like somatic experiencing, equine therapy, and the careful use of psychedelics offer new pathways to healing that go beyond traditional talk therapy and medications.

• Courage to Challenge the Status Quo:

• Dora and Bridget highlight the need for change in mental health care, advocating for informed consent and personalized approaches over one-size-fits-all solutions.

• Small and Personalized:

• With a limited number of beds, the program offers customized care tailored to each woman’s unique history and goals, fostering deeper healing and connection.

• Empowering Women to Find Their Voice:

• 4Winds Farm empowers women to rediscover their voice and intuition, challenging hierarchical norms and encouraging self-advocacy in their healing process.

• Community and Connection:

• A supportive community at 4Winds Farm helps women feel seen, heard, and valued, an essential step in overcoming trauma.

This episode of Courage Unlocked is a call to action for rethinking how we address trauma and mental health. It’s about creating spaces where courage and healing go hand in hand, inspiring us to seek deeper, more compassionate care. Dive in to explore how 4Winds Farm is changing lives, one courageous step at a time.

4 Winds Farm Links

• Website
• Instagram
• Dora’s Linkedin
• Brigette’s Linkedin

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Bio: Located in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, 4Winds Farm offers a holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing. They address the constraints of traditional treatments through integrating the whole person; body, mind and spirit.

They are uniquely focused on dissolving diagnostic categories. They believe when you break down the diagnostic silos that tell people they are this-or-that type of person—we can connect with each other as humans and dramatically alter our personal trajectories.

They create this outcome through experiential, educational and therapeutic programs that give people an alternative to the clinical and medical interventions that have failed them. Through their deep understanding and work with traumatic memory they address unresolved trauma, PTS and co-occurring disorders.

They believe It is possible to transform trauma into strength, power and purpose. The process is a powerful healing and personal growth journey. It requires your volition and courage to transform painful experiences into sources of strength, wisdom, and empowerment.

Summary: In this transformative episode of Courage Unlocked, Dora and Bridget from 4Winds Farm share their groundbreaking approach to trauma-informed care. Located on a sprawling 134-acre farm in Colorado, 4Winds Farm is more than a retreat—it's a sanctuary for women seeking to heal deeply rooted trauma. With innovative therapies like somatic experiencing, equine therapy, and psychedelic-assisted treatments, they help women move from surviving to thriving, all without relying on psychotropic medications.

Dora and Bridget emphasize the importance of addressing the root causes of trauma through compassionate, holistic care. They discuss how traditional treatments often fall short for those with complex PTSD and advocate for a new standard of care that integrates body, mind, and spirit.

Their story is one of hope, resilience, and the courage to challenge conventional mental health practices. This episode is a testament to the power of nature, community, and the human spirit to heal.

Takeaways * Healing Through Root Cause Resolution: + 4Winds Farm focuses on addressing the root causes of trauma, helping women reclaim their power through non-traditional, holistic therapies.

• Nature as Medicine:

• The farm’s environment plays a crucial role in healing, offering a serene space where women connect with nature, themselves, and their journey.

• Innovative Therapies:

• Techniques like somatic experiencing, equine therapy, and the careful use of psychedelics offer new pathways to healing that go beyond traditional talk therapy and medications.

• Courage to Challenge the Status Quo:

• Dora and Bridget highlight the need for change in mental health care, advocating for informed consent and personalized approaches over one-size-fits-all solutions.

• Small and Personalized:

• With a limited number of beds, the program offers customized care tailored to each woman’s unique history and goals, fostering deeper healing and connection.

• Empowering Women to Find Their Voice:

• 4Winds Farm empowers women to rediscover their voice and intuition, challenging hierarchical norms and encouraging self-advocacy in their healing process.

• Community and Connection:

• A supportive community at 4Winds Farm helps women feel seen, heard, and valued, an essential step in overcoming trauma.

This episode of Courage Unlocked is a call to action for rethinking how we address trauma and mental health. It’s about creating spaces where courage and healing go hand in hand, inspiring us to seek deeper, more compassionate care. Dive in to explore how 4Winds Farm is changing lives, one courageous step at a time.

4 Winds Farm Links

• Website
• Instagram
• Dora’s Linkedin
• Brigette’s Linkedin

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Bio: Natalie Boese is a health and wellness enthusiast, two time best selling author, organization mastermind, and the mama to two boys, one of which has severe special needs. Through her experience running a business, running a family, and caring for her sons, Natalie has been able to lean into her organizational talents to help her family prioritize whole-istic wellness. Now, she works with busy and overwhelmed business owners and mamas with special needs children to help them organize their life and get on track.

Summary: In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Courage Unlocked, Natalie Boese—founder of Life Made Simple and Mac Made Simple—takes us on a journey through resilience, organization, and courage. Natalie shares how her passion for simplicity and structure emerged from a need to manage chaos and control what she could in an unpredictable world. Her story is one of embracing vulnerability, finding community, and showing up with strength every day, no matter what life throws her way.

From navigating the challenges of raising a child with severe special needs to discovering the importance of self-care and building supportive systems, Natalie reveals how simplifying life can lead to extraordinary strength and clarity. She also shares her expertise in digital and personal organization, helping busy parents and professionals reclaim their time and focus on what truly matters.

This episode is a testament to the courage it takes to face life’s toughest moments and find purpose and passion in the process.

Takeaways:

Simplicity is Empowering:

• Streamlining daily routines and reducing decision fatigue creates space for clarity and calm. Even small habits, like making your bed or organizing your workspace, can set a positive tone.

Organization is a Form of Courage:

• When life feels overwhelming, taking control of what you can—whether through labeled binders or clear systems—provides stability and confidence to tackle the unknown.

Self-Care is Non-Negotiable:

• Prioritizing your own well-being isn’t selfish; it’s essential. Simple practices like eating well, moving your body, and finding moments of rest help you show up fully for yourself and others.

Community Heals:

• Surrounding yourself with supportive people who understand your journey reduces feelings of isolation and provides strength during tough times.

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection:

• Good enough is often more than enough. Let go of the need to get everything “just right” and celebrate the steps you’ve taken.

Systems Create Freedom:

• Whether it’s organizing your digital life or managing your household, systems help reduce stress and create more time for the things that truly matter.

Courage Starts with Belonging:

• To be brave for others, you first need to belong to yourself. Embrace who you are, imperfections and all, and let that courage inspire those around you.

This episode reminds us that even in the hardest moments, we can find strength, courage, and purpose. Natalie’s story is a powerful example of how simplifying our lives can lead to transformation. Dive in and be inspired to take small steps toward big change!

Natalie’s Links

• Website
• Instagram
• Linkedin
• Freebie

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Bio: Shalaree is a highly-specialized financial expert and Authorized Infinite Banking Practitioner in The Infinite Banking Concept, who empowers 6-figure entrepreneurs with the art, skill, and strategy to not only keep but also multiply their money. After two devastating (and eye-opening) 30% losses in the market, she realized the critical missing piece in typical financial planning, and made it her mission to ensure that women in business never again abdicate their power when it comes to their money. Today, she passionately educates mothers and business owners on the freedom and control available from leveraging the guarantees of properly designed dividend-paying whole-life insurance for cash flow control, tax-free legacy, financial independence and access to cash.

Summary: What if you could take complete control of your financial future—no matter where you’re starting from? In this transformative episode of Courage Unlocked, Shalaree Lamboy shares her compelling journey through financial setbacks and her discovery of powerful financial strategies that changed her life.

Drawing on her experiences, Shalaree introduces the Infinite Banking Concept, a framework that enables individuals to leverage guaranteed whole life insurance for financial autonomy. Whether you’ve felt disempowered by money scripts from childhood or struggled with traditional financial advice, this episode is a wake-up call to rethink how you manage and multiply your money.

From life-changing insights about cash flow to actionable advice on breaking free from financial systems that don’t serve you, this episode is packed with wisdom for listeners ready to unlock their courage and rewrite their financial narratives.

Takeaways:

Challenge Traditional Financial Advice

• Common strategies often lack the resilience to weather financial storms. Rethink the focus on investments alone and ensure you have a strong financial foundation.

The Power of Strategic Saving

• Every dollar matters. Instead of focusing solely on income growth, explore ways to recapture and optimize the money already flowing through your life.

The Infinite Banking Concept

• Discover how whole life insurance can act as a personal financial system, providing cash flow, security, and financial independence.

Overcoming Money Scripts

• Our beliefs about money are often shaped by family or societal norms. Awareness and intentional financial planning can break these patterns.

Access to Cash = Peace of Mind

• Learn how to ensure liquidity for unexpected challenges and opportunities—no more living paycheck to paycheck.

Empowerment Through Knowledge

• Financial literacy isn’t optional. Take the time to learn and partner with trustworthy advisors to secure your future.

Shalaree’s Links

• Freebie: Learn how to harness the power of Infinite Banking Concept & Connect with Shalaree: https://www.factumibc.com/freedom
• Website
• Instagram
• Linkedin

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Bio: Brie Johnson is an HR Strategist and Certified Career Coach. With 20 years of experience in human resources and corporate communications she has developed training and programs on a variety of topics all with the goal of making communication clearer and more consistent so that teams can be more effective and successful together. Prior to founding BCJ Insights, Prior to founding BCJ Insights, Brie managed a comprehensive HR program for a 30-person company where she oversaw the hiring and onboarding processes as well as participated directly in screening candidates and conducting interviews, benefits, professional development, performance management, and all day-to-day HR operations.

Summary: What does it take to build a workplace culture where courage thrives, and people genuinely feel seen, supported, and inspired? Brie Johnson, founder of BCJ Insights, brings two decades of HR expertise to the table in this dynamic and heartfelt episode of Courage Unlocked. Brie’s mission is simple but powerful: transforming “human resources” into “humans and resources,” empowering employees to be their best selves at work and beyond.

Brie shares her inspiring journey from an MBA graduate who “face-planted” into HR (and loved it!) to becoming a passionate advocate for people-first leadership. Her philosophy? Success isn’t just about processes and policies—it’s about people feeling they belong, knowing their contributions matter, and being equipped to thrive. Along the way, Brie introduces us to her signature program, The Better HR Blueprint, and dives into how small businesses can intentionally create cultures where courage is part of the foundation.

This episode is packed with bold insights, from how servant leadership can revolutionize a workplace to the unshakable importance of clear communication in building trust. Whether you’re a leader wanting to inspire your team, a business owner ready to invest in a thriving culture, or someone gearing up for your next career leap, Brie’s wisdom will leave you fired up and ready to act.

Takeaways:

Courageous Leadership Matters

• Treat your team as people, not just resources. When you invest in their growth, they’ll give their best.

Empowered Employees Build Strong Companies

• Give your team the tools, training, and balance they need to succeed—both at work and in life.

Lead with Service

• Great leaders support and collaborate with their teams. Forget “because I said so.” Instead, ask, “How can I help?”

Clear Communication is Key

• Communication builds trust. Make sure everyone knows their role and how they contribute to the bigger picture.

Create a Brave Culture

• A strong workplace starts with values and care. Be intentional about creating a culture where people thrive.

Own Your Success Story

• Whether it’s landing a new job or growing your career, confidence and clarity pave the way for success.

Belonging Drives Bravery

• People do their best work when they know they belong and their contributions matter. Show them their impact.

This episode of Courage Unlocked is your rallying cry for bold leadership and courageous workplace cultures. It’s a celebration of what’s possible when we lead with heart and put people first. Ready to unlock a braver workplace? Dive in!

Brie’s Links

• Website
• Instagram
• Linkedin

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Kailey is an occupational therapist, accessibility consultant, sensory strategist, and content creator who has been working with people in the disability community for over a decade. Kailey was diagnosed neurodivergent (ADHD & OCD) as an adult and realized she was naturally using a lot of what she teaches her pediatric clients and families to help herself navigate the, sometimes, overwhelming world.

She talks about inclusive living and accessible beauty online, using her background as an occupational therapist and neurospicy adult to help other adults feel good in their daily routines. Her aesthetic has been called “fairy princess” and she blends giggles with education to build a more inclusive world.

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Angela Tait is the founder of Tait Consulting and a dynamic People Operations Strategist. With over a decade of corporate experience and a Master’s in Organization Development from Pepperdine, Angela brings a fresh and impactful approach to hiring, training, and coaching. Known for helping leaders save time, retain top talent, and drive profitability, she has transformed workplace cultures across industries. From scaling a real estate company by 1000% in two years to improving retention by 80%, Angela's expertise is unmatched. Featured in CNN, SHRM, and Fast Company, she’s the go-to expert for all things talent and leadership. Fun fact: Angela’s passion for people extends beyond HR – she’s also the host of the podcast “Mom-Me,” where she tackles the juggling act of being a mom and business leader.

Connect with Angela:

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Haley Westfall is the Creator of The Table™️, Co-Founder of Collab Culture™️, Business Mentor, Community Building Expert, Serial Connector and Self Proclaimed Queen of her Tiny Girl Gang

After obtaining her Master's degree in Leadership and spending 20 years in the corporate leadership space, she took a midlife pivot into entrepreneurship and never looked back.

As a business mentor, community building expert and Founder of The Table™️, she helps thriving businesses create next level expansion and longevity by cultivating a community focused brand. She does this through curated live events, coaching and consulting and digital education. In addition to running The Table™️ and Collab Culture™️ - she is the host of The Table Podcast™️.

Connect with Haley:

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Tiffany Mattick’s entire life changed the moment she stopped trying to find herself and started being herself.

Tiffany spent 25 years working for a large, global corporation – and she often found herself unfulfilled, burned out and wanting more. By leaning into what she loved about human potential, she transformed her career from Tech to HR and traveled the world, empowering leaders to create a more human-centered approach to shaping culture.

Tiffany is the CEO and Founder of There She Grows. She guides groups and organizations through experiences that transform their connections to themselves and each other. These experiences empower individuals and teams to tap into their human potential, find fulfillment, and enjoy greater success at work and home.

As a coach, speaker, and thought leader, Tiffany is on a mission to restore what’s too often suppressed in the workplace: heart.

As a purpose-driven small business owner, Tiffany finds happiness playing pickleball, laughing with her adult children, boating with her husband and sharing her office with her crazy-large, lap dog, Willow, the Bernedoodle in St Paul, Minnesota.

Connect with Tiffany:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Free Gift!

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Anne Bernard was trained extensively both abroad and domestically in the Naturopathic health field. She attended the Xavier Bichat Medical School in Paris, and later received a Naturopathic Degree from the Ecole d’Enseignement Superieur de Naturopathie du Quebec in Montreal.

Anne received her Acupuncture license following graduation in 2006 from the well respected Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley. She is well known for her nurturing approach and gentle touch with needles.Anne is passionate about being informed on new developments and technology; she always uses them personally first to assess their value, so she brings a wealth of experience and realistic expectations to her clients.

About Tierra Encantada A few years ago, Daniel and Anne, husband and wife, stumbled upon this enchanting land following a transformative plant medicine retreat. The beginning of a remarkable journey was sparked following a serendipitous encounter with a medicine woman in Nosara who introduced them to the previous owner of the land. Captivated by the wild raw beauty of the property and its secluded setting, offering a perfect blend of tranquility and closeness to the pristine beaches of Nosara, they instantly felt like they had found their home away from home.

Driven by their deep love for nature and their shared dream of creating a harmonious sanctuary where natural living and Pacha Mama could coexist, Dan’s lifelong experience in the construction industry and Anne’s 30+ years in the world of healing and holistic health intertwined beautifully. Collaborating on every aspect of the endeavor, they poured their hearts into designing and constructing this oasis, infusing it with their shared passion and respective expertise. Mindful of the delicate ecosystem surrounding them and committed to preserving its natural beauty, they approached the development process with a steadfast dedication to sustainability.

Every choice in architecture and construction was made with the environment in mind, ensuring that their creation became a cozy and eco-friendly home where nature and comfort blend seamlessly.

Connect with Anne and Tierra Encantada

Website:

Instagram:

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Wes Piatt is the owner of Coast Range CrossFit in Gilroy, CA. He is a veteran athlete who’s participated in the CrossFit Games as well as the NorCal and SoCal Regionals. When he began CrossFit in 2009, admittedly, it wasn’t an easy feat. "The first workout I did while on deployment overseas was 'Filthy Fifty.' I couldn’t even get through the double-unders! I threw my jump rope across the room in frustration and fell in love all at the same time. I did that workout every day for two weeks until I was able to finish it."

Wes is a prime example of what you can accomplish if you don’t give up. Today, he holds certificates in CrossFit Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, as well as being a part of the CrossFit HQ Seminar Staff. As a coach, he uses his own training experiences to inspire his members. So, listen, learn, and watch what happens.

Certifications:

• CrossFit HQ Seminar Staff
• CrossFit HQ Level 1 Advisory Board Member
• CrossFit Level 1
• CrossFit Level 2
• CrossFit Level 3

About Coast Range CrossFit

Coast Range CrossFit is the most fun box around, period. Their amazing staff leads their athletes in a clean, calm environment. It's just about you, your goals, and your drive to achieve them. Coast Range CrossFit is always looking forward to the next challenge–like Unity Games (see link below to participate in this epic inclusive event).

All Coast Range Crossfit coaches use their unique backgrounds and experiences to guide their athletes to success. They are constantly encouraging athletes to set bigger goals and push their limits. With the right equipment, counseling, and support system, Coast Range Crossfit believes anything is possible! Are you ready to start your journey?

Join us Saturday, November 2, 2024 for Unity Games

https://go.streamfitness.live/competition/view/214-gilroy-unity-games

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Melissa Bauknight is a dynamic adventurer, mother, wife, Business Alignment Coach, and founder of The Nova Global —a transformative community dedicated to uniting conscious professional women on their personal, professional, and spiritual journeys.

With a passion for making a difference, Melissa guides her clients to unlock their full soul potential and achieve success their way. Combining her 20 years of expertise in sales and business development with her dedication to personal growth, she helps individuals design a business and life that aligns with their authentic selves.

Melissa is committed to breaking free from societal conditioning and creating abundance in every area of life.

Connect with Melissa and The Nova Global:

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

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Jen Rafferty is an educator, author, and founder of Empowered Educator which provides transformational professional development that focuses on the social and emotional well-being of the adults in schools.

Since its inception, the Empowered Educator has reached teachers and school leaders all over the world. Jen has been featured in Forbes, Authority Magazine, Medium, Thrive Global, Best Holistic Life Magazine, Wellness Voice Magazine, and was on the TEDx stage with her talk, Generational Change begins with Empowered Teachers

She is also the host of the podcast, Take Notes with Jen Rafferty, which is rated in the top 2.5% of podcasts globally. Her insatiable curiosity continues to make Empowered Educator programs relevant and reflective of the most up-to-date research in mindset, leadership, and cognitive neuroscience.

Feel free to connect with Jen here:

https://empowerededucator.com/

https://empowerededucator.com/redesignyourmind

https://empowerededucator.com/thrive

IG: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empowerededucatorfacultyroom/

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Melissa Dean is a midwife and the founder of Casa Natal Birth and Wellness Center, located in Los Gatos, California Voted the BEST birth center in the Bay Area by Bay Area Parents!!!!. As a functional and integrative medicine practitioner, Melissa combines her expertise in women's health with her midwife practice. She provides care with an emphasis on holistic health modalities to bring wellness to women in every stage of their health: including childbirth, transition to motherhood and beyond.

Melissa’s expertise has been featured in leading publications such as The Bump, Today’s Parent, Patient and The CheckUp

Enjoy these treasures from women’s wellness expert Melissa Dean:

A Midwife’s Guide to Overcoming Postpartum Anxiety + Depletion

Postpartum Depletion - Casa Natal

Five Pregnancy Nutrition Tips

Five Pregnancy Nutrition Tips - Casa Natal

Feel free to connect with Melissa Dean founder of Casa Natal Birth and Wellness Center here:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/casanatalbirthcenter?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Website:https://casa-natal.com/

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Sabrina Storozuk is a tech entrepreneur who has made significant strides in modernizing traditional industries through technological innovation. Her expertise lies in identifying and transforming barriers and gaps into powerful opportunities.

With a background that includes various tech ventures of her own, solution services as well as tech innovation consulting at PWC, she has led transformative projects in various global markets from small startups to large Fortune 500 firms.

Her latest venture, ARC, is a blend of her technological acumen and her commitment to women's hair health.

ARC is pioneering a new approach to headbands, elevating them beyond their conventional use.

In this conversation we talk about the impact of hair insecurity and why Sabrina is revolutionizing the headband market with her new venture ARC and the ARC headband.

According to a study conducted at Yale University, ``bad hair days'' are real -- the perception of bad hair actually produces negative consequences beyond not feeling good about how one looks.

According to the study, directed by Dr. Marianne LaFrance, Professor of Psychology and Professor of Women's and Gender Studies at Yale University, ``bad hair days'' affect individuals' self-esteem increasing self-doubt, intensifying social insecurities, and becoming more self-critical in general.

The study further found that bad hair intensifies feelings of social insecurity and self-consciousness. However, the psychological reactions differed among women and men. Women tend to feel more disgraced, embarrassed, ashamed or self-conscious when experiencing bad hair.

Evidence shows that bad hair causes one to be more negative about oneself. Specifically, results indicate that a bad hair day'' leads individuals to find more personal character flaws that go beyond their appearance. When asked to complete a list of statements about who they are,bad hair'' caused people to mention significantly more negative traits and attributes.

You can connect with Sabrina and ARC here:

ARC website: www.wear-arc.com

Instagram: @wear-arc

Yale article: https://www.super-hair.net/yale-hair.html

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Michelle Montes is a licensed cosmetologist, with over 18 years of international experience in professional makeup and hair artistry. Her eye for color, skillful appwlication and simple, yet beautiful makeup looks have earned her a loyal clientele.Her experience ranges from working behind the scenes on runways, photoshoots, branding, movies and film, to on-location wedding makeup servicing her clients of all ages.

Her work has been featured in magazines like Hello!, Marie Claire & Vogue internationally. Over 1,500 Bridal clients have come to her to get that magic touch for a contemporary bridal look with elements of timeless beauty.

She has worked extensively with royal families across India doing makeup and hair for special events and magazine features and even feature films and documentaries. Michelle has also worked with top designers in India for their look books Nominated for the ‘Most Creative Makeup Artist’ award at Schwarzkopf Professional Estetica Hair Couture Awards.

How You Can Connect with Michelle

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

Michelle has done my hair and makeup for two different branding photoshoots in Palm Springs and in the Bay Area. I highly recommend her.

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Diana (She/Her) is the CEO of Fan Your Flame LLC, a financial literacy coach, and your best financial friend. She is passionately committed to guiding entrepreneurs, businesses and individuals to achieve a wide variety of financial goals. Diana utilizes pioneering methods rooted in practical financial concepts, business acumen, and mindset work to educate and empower her clients to achieve goals of financial independence, transformation, and abundance.

Diana is a Certified Master Mind Magic PractitionerTM and is a Certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner. By day, she is a VP of Fund Accounting & Finance at a private equity/venture capital firm based in Los Angeles, and holds an active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation in the State of California. She’s a seasoned investor, venture capitalist, and angel investor for aspiring female entrepreneurs with 20 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Diana gives back to the community by volunteering as a Board Member for the Point Foundation, a non-profit organization that empowers promising lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential – despite the obstacles often put before them – to make a significant impact on society.

To learn more about the documentary film Diana is the executive producer for, Show Her The Money go to www.showherthemoneymovie.com.

Diana also has an Investing 101 course coming up and she offers a freebie Money Date Handbook and other freebie webinars on www.disruptinginertia.com

You can connect with Diana Greshtchuk below:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/FanYourFlameLLC

IG: https://www.instagram.com/FanYourFlameLLC/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fan-your-flame-llc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianagreshtchuk/

Public FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fanyourflame

Point Foundation Fundraising Page: https://pointfoundation2021.funraise.org/fundraiser/diana-greshtchuk-988efad?fundraiserPrompt=2062619

Diana Greshtchuk, Founder & CEO Fan Your Flame: Financial Literacy Coaching

https://linktr.ee/fanyourflame

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Bernadette Marciniak is a speaker, best-selling author, and brand videographer and photographer for six- and seven-figure entrepreneurs. A former reporter, photojournalist, and video journalist, she now uses a very specific storytelling approach to amplify the message and maximize the impact of business owners through powerful visuals.

Today, she runs Solhaus Media, a boutique, all-female media agency, which has serviced over 100 clients with images and videos that creatively convert audiences into customers.

You can connect with Bernadette here:

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

You can see her work on my website www.michelewaterman.com and check out the A roll video she did for my brand Courage Unlocked - view here!

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Abby Young is a fashion stylist based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Fashion Stylist Director of Troora Magazine, certified by the Fashion Stylist Institute and Condé Nast College, with speciality in personal styling, color analysis and runway, commercial, and editorial styling.

In this episode we discuss Abby’s courageous pivot from being an 8th grade English teacher with a “passion for fashion” to a thought leader and authority in personal and commercial styling.

Abby Young Styling curated all of the branding outfits for my brand www.michelewaterman.com and her clients include CBS, Google, Bloomingdales and many more.

How to connect with Abby!

https://abbyyoungstyling.com/

Instagram

LinkedIn

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In this episode with expert and thought leader Dr. Christine Manukyan we unpack and fully discuss:

How Dr. Christine cultivated the courage to create lasting change in her own life starting with her remarkable health reclamation and how that fostered radical changes in her career and a pivot as a health and wellness expert empowering visionary leaders and everyday people alike to create Wholistic Vitality™.

Dr. Christine Manukyan is a leading figure in holistic health and personal development. Transitioning from a pharmacist to a Wholistic Vitality™ & High-Performance Life Coach, Corporate Wellness Strategist, Business Mentor, STORRIE NeuroBreathwork™ Practice Creator and 5x No.1 International Bestselling Author, she’s leading the Wholistic Wellness Revolution™ as the Founder and CEO of STORRIE Institute® and STORRIE Wellness™, setting a new gold standard of care.

With over a decade in Corporate America, Dr. Christine's remarkable health journey, including shedding over 100 lbs and excelling as a natural bodybuilding athlete and marathon runner, ignited her mission to empower others to optimize their health without pharmaceuticals.

Board-certified in Clinical Hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and Reiki, Dr. Christine's expertise is complemented by her education from Harvard Medical and Business Schools, along with her training in Dr. Joe Dispenza's HealthCare Practitioner (HCP) Program.

A sought-after speaker and top-ranked The Wholistic Vitality™ Podcast host , she has graced stages worldwide and has been featured in top publications such as FORBES, Yahoo, ABC, and CBS.

Believing in second chances, Dr. Christine is committed to helping visionary leaders and entrepreneurs elevate their health to amplify their impact, influence, and income.

Connect with Dr. Christine Manukyan: www.drchristinemanukyan.com

Email: drchristine@storrie.co

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-christine-manukyan/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.christinemanukyan/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/drchristinemanukyan

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@DrChristineManukyan

Join Wholistic Vitality™ community on FB: www.facebook.com/groups/wholisticvitality/

Subscribe to The Wholistic Vitality™ Podcast on Apple and Spotify https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wholistic-vitality-podcast/id1544165446

https://open.spotify.com/show/2ckFV5STB2SBSyT6oovYGz?si=1fd86aa1bc434551

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After starting her career in Child Development, Jennifer Herbert went on to get a MA in Special Education and completed her BCBA coursework through FIT University. Jennifer became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2014 and has been working with people with autism for over 30 years. Jennifer co-owned Enriching the Lives of Children with Autism (ELCA) for over 10 years, at which point ELCA merged with Trumpet Behavioral Health (TBH). Jennifer was a Senior Clinician at TBH for 5 years and is currently a Clinical Director with Silicon Valley ABA in Northern California.

Collaboration and learning from other professionals continues to be a best practice for Jennifer. Jennifer’s focus during her career has been developing programs that enrich the lives of learners and their families in meaningful ways.

Jennifer can be reached at jenniferh@siliconvalleyaba.com. Please visit Silicon Valley ABA’s website at www.siliconvalleyaba.com for more information.

April is National Autism Awareness month. In this episode Jennifer and I discuss:

1. The history of diagnosing autism and how the diagnostic criteria changed overtime including the wrong and harmful blaming of mothers back in the 1950’s for causing autism known as “refrigerator mother’s syndrome.”
2. Multidisciplinary teams that include ABA, speech therapy, occupational therapy and more.
3. Honoring the whole person, celebrating strengths and gifts while addressing areas of development that may benefit from thoughtful and compassionate skill building.
4. Why it’s important to listen to autistic people (we speak specifically about Temple Grandin–the most famous autistic person).

Access to Early Start Programs in California

https://www.dds.ca.gov/services/early-start/

National Institute of Health - Early Interventions for Autism by state in the US

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/autism/conditioninfo/treatments/early-intervention

Please find Temple Grandin’s website https://www.templegrandin.com/ and one of her books that I specifically reference in this conversation is Thinking in Pictures.

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Erin Nicole Porter is an Energetics Business Coach, Master Practitioner & Trainer of NLP & Hypnosis, Breathwork Facilitator, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner in Training, Adult Attachment Repair Model Therapist, and host of The Energetics of Business Podcast.

She enjoys coaching women in her board certified coaching certification: The Quantum Ripple Effect, how to heal internally so their businesses can thrive, aligned business strategy and the energetics of business. She is also the author of Burnout to Breakthrough and the Breakthrough Oracle deck.

After spending years in her hustle, go-go high achieving energy, her business skyrocketed when she tapped into her receiving energy, and began to heal the parts of her she always hid back.

She helps women scale through trauma informed business practices, internal healing, and understanding the energetics of business. Erin’s clients have gone on to become multiple six figure coaches, speakers, authors, international speakers, and have had incredible internal transformation.

She has a Masters in Education, backgrounds in Crisis Management, Student Development, and Marketing & spent time as a health and fitness coach before stepping into the mindset and business world. She lives in San Diego, CA with her two puppies, but is a country girl from small-town Ohio at heart.

Erin's Links

• Quantum Ripple Effect

• Quantum Ripple Effect Instagram

• Instagram

• Podcast
• Book

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In this episode Courage Unlocked host Michele Waterman, reads a chapter from Amazon best selling book Taking the Plunge that she co-authored with 11 other women entrepreneurs.

This chapter features how Michele took the plunge into sobriety more than 22 years ago, how she has maintained her sobriety and how recovery from all the patterns she acquired growing up in an alcoholic family system transformed her into the woman, mother, and leader she is today.

You can purchase Take the Plunge on Amazon here.

All of the net proceeds from the sale of our book benefits Annie Cannon - an innovative, national nonprofit that trains survivors of human trafficking to be tech professionals. AC’s programs are designed to economically empower survivors through high skills training, job readiness support, and work pathways into the technology industry.

Do not miss the opportunity to learn more about the other incredible authors and thought leaders in their perspective fields.

Rebecca Cafiero, @rebeccacafiero, TEDx Speaker, Best Selling Author and the Founder of The Pitch Club

Sabrina Storozuk @thesabrinastorozuk Founder/CEO of Arc, Entrepreneur and Women’s Health Advocate

Christina Luna @lunation.live Astrological Mentor, Sustainable Women’s Health Advocate

Amy Bartko, @chatterboxprandmarketing, seasoned PR Professional and Founder of Chatterbox PR & Marketing

Melissa Dean, @casnatalbirthcenter, Midwife and Founder of Casa Natal Birth and Wellness Center, Los Gatos, CA.

Natalie Boese, @natboese, Lifestyle and Digital Organization Expert

Brigette Bartley, Certified Life Coach, Microdosing Facilitator and Chief People Officer of @sawyerbusinessgroup

Rachel Woodward, @rachelaurorachs, Healthcare Advocate and CEO of Datapro Billing Service

Paige Dungan, @thepaigedungan, Marketer, Publicist and Founder of The Front Porch Collective

Angela Tait, @tait_consulting, Founder of Tait Consulting, Seasoned Human Resources Professional and People Operations Strategist

Harley Jordan, @theharleyjordan, Instagram Brand Builder, Influencer and Coach

Michele Waterman @michelewatermancoaching, Nonprofit Business Strategist, Podcast Host and Mental Health and Disability Justice Advocate

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You are listening to Episode 12-Part II, of a two-part conversation with my friend and colleague Dax Segers. Be sure to listen to Episode 11 before this episode for our complete conversation.,

Dax is an unconventional coach and consultant for unconventional people! He helps his clients navigate challenges, change, “stuckness,” and loss – and a way home to themselves. He is particularly drawn to those who think outside of the box, and to those who do not fit inside one either. He doesn’t believe that there is any one, right way to heal. And he does not believe that life has to be done in any one particular way either. YOU get to choose. YOUR life is yours to create.

Dax enjoys working with a diverse population. People of all genders, sexualities, ethnicities, races, religions, and spiritualities are welcome to work with him. Dax is particularly drawn to the misfit, the marginalized, the mystic, the creative, the queer, and all manner of sensitive souls. You are his people!

Dax has gone through a rowdy evolution himself during the last several years. It came with a spiritual emergence, some trauma surfacing for the first time, several diagnoses, a very challenging psych med taper, and a lot of relationship loss and shifting. He also came out as queer and trans. There was a time of breaking down, breaking apart, and then finally, breaking free to create the life that he wanted.

Today, his life is in alignment with who he is, AND he continues to evolve and always will be, because that is what happens when we allow life to touch us and open us up to the possibility of what it has to offer and who we can become, and what we can create.

Ways to connect with Dax!

Instagram: @daxsegers

Website: https://daxsegers.com/

Ways to connect with Courage Unlocked Host, Michele Waterman!

Instagram: @michelewatermancoaching

LinkedIn: View Profile here

Website: www.michelewaterman.com

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You are listening to Episode 11, which is part of a two-part conversation with my friend and colleague Dax Segers. Be sure to listen to Episode 12, part II for the full conversation.

Dax is an unconventional coach and consultant for unconventional people! He helps his clients navigate challenges, change, “stuckness,” and loss – and a way home to themselves. He is particularly drawn to those who think outside of the box, and to those who do not fit inside one either. He doesn’t believe that there is any one, right way to heal. And he does not believe that life has to be done in any one particular way either. YOU get to choose. YOUR life is yours to create.

Dax helps people meet, connect with, and reclaim the parts of themselves that have been shunned by others, wounded in some way, or that have been suppressed for some reason. Frequently, the work he supports his clients in, is in the realm of connecting to self-trust, intuition, creativity, sexuality, joy, and purpose.

A unique service Dax offers is supporting and equipping people as they taper off of psychiatric medications, not just so they can discontinue their medications but so that they can thrive through connection, integration, and liberation. Dax has an aptitude for navigating dark places, and he delights in the strange and mysterious. It lights him up to walk alongside folks as a guide, sometimes through dark and difficult places, because he knows what is on the other side of this challenging process: freedom, relief, transformation, and new life for the brave traveler.

Dax has gone through a rowdy evolution himself during the last several years. It came with a spiritual emergence, some trauma surfacing for the first time, several diagnoses, a very challenging psych med taper, and a lot of relationship loss and shifting. He also came out as queer and trans. There was a time of breaking down, breaking apart, and then finally, breaking free to create the life that he wanted.

Today, his life is in alignment with who he is, AND he continues to evolve and always will be, because that is what happens when we allow life to touch us and open us up to the possibility of what it has to offer and who we can become, and what we can create.

Ways to connect with Dax!

Instagram: @daxsegers

Website: https://daxsegers.com/

Ways to connect with Courage Unlocked Host, Michele Waterman!

Instagram: @michelewatermancoaching

LinkedIn: View Profile here

Website: www.michelewaterman.com

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Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring is a psychiatrist renowned for his expertise in the field of drug tapering and withdrawal management. With years of experience in clinical psychiatry, he has developed a particular interest and specialization in assisting patients with the safe and effective tapering of psychiatric medications. His approach is patient-centered, focusing on individualized plans that prioritize the patient's well-being and functioning.

In addition, Dr. Witt-Doerring has worked at numerous pharmaceutical companies in clinical research and drug safety positions, bringing valuable experience from both the regulatory and clinical settings to his practice. He completed a fellowship in Psychiatric Drug Development at Janssen Research & Development and Drexel College of Medicine, as well as his psychiatric residency at Baylor College of Medicine, and earned his medical degree from the University of Queensland Medical School in Australia.

In this episode we explore:

1. Dr. Witt-Doering’s experience working as a Medical Officer in the Division of Psychiatry at the Food and Drug Administration - where he analyzed emergent adverse drug reactions and proposed modifications to drug labeling, giving him a unique perspective on the risks and benefits of psychiatric interventions in both the short and long term. He is a subject matter expert in how these drugs come to market.
2. Why Dr. Witt-Doering specializes in de-prescribing psychotropic medications.
3. What patients endure AFTER getting misaligned medical advice which is the not-so-golden standard (since doctors aren’t trained in medical school to take people OFF of psych meds).
4. Rapid detox facilities - why these facilities and protocols are the wrong choice (and potentially dangerous) for anyone seeking assistance to reduce or discontinue use of psychotropic medications (known as “harm reduction”).
5. How are Dr. Witt-Doering and his taper clinic address the needs of people wanting medical supervision for slow, deliberate hyperbolic tapers according to the Maudley’s De-Prescribing Guidelines–the future of gold standard medicine.
6. The future of psychiatry will likely not include multi-med cocktails prescribed indefinitely but strategic use of psychedelics to address and resolve trauma with the assistance of mental health professionals trained in this burgeoning field.

To connect with Dr. Witt-Doering and his medical team visit him below.

Instagram: @taperclinic

YouTube: Taper Clinic

Website: www.taperclinic.com

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*Please note that you are listening to a two part episode.

Episode 9 is Part II of my conversation with Angie Peacock, MSW. This conversation first aired on Angie’s platform in September 2023.

NOTE: If you have not listened to Episode 8 Part I - please go back and start there for our complete conversation.

Angie Peacock, MSW is a recovery coach that I worked with for the better part of a year. She held space for me and validated me while I endured UNSPEAKABLE harm.

She helped me find resources that contributed to my success story and helped pave the way for my come back, as I rebuild my entire life after being annihilated from the damage caused from being tapered too quickly from three psychotropic medications - drugs I took as prescribed for 16 years for a chemical imbalance I never had.

In part II (episode 9), we talk about the need for informed consent getting on and off these medications and the need for mental health professionals to get educated about psych med withdrawal syndromes. Thankfully these iatrogenic injuries are now making it into the literature so that as a mental health care community we can take responsibility to get informed about the possible benefits and the PROBABLE HARM that is happening to millions of adults and children globally.

In this episode, we challenge the current MEDICAL model that promotes the APA guild’s concepts of mental illness (found in the DSM-V) which has people believing they are dealing with bad genes and broken brains.

We discuss the absolute necessity for mental health care reform in the United States and any country that is pedaling the chemical imbalance marketing hoax.

I am grateful to report that I am 90% recovered from a debilitating iatrogenic injury. I suffered from and survived a protracted withdrawal syndrome for four (4) agonizing years with a long list of disabling symptoms I never had before taking psychotropic medications or while on the medications.

Please note that I am not anti-medication.

I am fiercely pro-informed consent and I am committed to self-determination, harm reduction and advancing mental health care that is anti-oppressive, culturally sensitive and aims to help people resolve their problems with living–not simply numb and drug their pain and suffering.

About Angela Peacock, MSW

Angela Peacock, MSW served in the U.S. Army for seven years as a communications specialist with one deployment to Iraq. After a series of traumas, she was prescribed over 40 medications for the treatment of her “disorders.” She eventually discontinued all medications, let go of her identity as a patient, but is still recovering from the long-term effects of psychiatric drugs and the pathologization of her distress.

Her story appears in the film Medicating Normal (2020) where she engaged over 180 audiences during community screenings and/or panel discussions that encouraged dialogue about our mental health industry, informed consent, psychiatric drug use and withdrawal. Angie now serves as a psychiatric drug withdrawal consultant and healing coach. She provides education and support to individuals, families and organizations interested in harm reduction, and the healing from and deprescribing of psychiatric drugs.

Thank you for being here with us. Thank you for being brave.

To learn more about Angie Peacock, MSW, visit www.apeacockconsulting.com. To connect with the host of Courage Unlocked visit www.michelewaterman.com.

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*You are listening to a two part episode.

Episode 8 is Part I of my conversation with Angie Peacock, MSW. This conversation first aired on Angie’s platform in September 2023.

This podcast includes the complete details of how I was psychiatrized for 16 years on a multi-med cocktail that I was prescribed in 2002 for generalized anxiety disorder and postpartum depression when my youngest child was 3 months old.

Angie facilitates this conversation as a recovery coach that I worked with for almost a year.

Angie played an instrumental part in my come-back journey after suffering profoundly from a protracted withdrawal syndrome I sustained from getting misaligned medical advice from a holistic psychiatrist that was more interested in pushing her agenda than honoring her hippocratic oath to first do no harm.

I suffered from and survived a protracted withdrawal syndrome for four (4) agonizing years with a long list of disabling symptoms I never had before taking psychotropic medications or while on the medications. The injuries I endured included physical, neurological, psychological, and cognitive symptoms that were equivalent to a chemically induced traumatic brain injury and assault to my central nervous system.

I am 90% recovered from a debilitating iatrogenic injury and rebuilding my whole life in every sense of the word. This is a tough conversation to say the least AND I will not shy away from the harm being done to me and millions of people, including innocent children that are not able to give their true informed consent to psychotropic medications that are causing neuro-adaptations.

Please note that I am not anti-medication.

I am fiercely pro-informed consent and I am committed to self-determination, harm reduction and advancing mental health care that is anti-oppressive, culturally sensitive and aims to help people resolve their problems with living–not simply numb and drug their pain and suffering.

About Angie Peacock, MSW

Angie served in the U.S. Army for seven years as a communications specialist with one deployment to Iraq. After a series of traumas, she was prescribed over 40 medications for the treatment of her “disorders.” She eventually discontinued all medications, let go of her identity as a patient, but is still recovering from the long-term effects of psychiatric drugs and the pathologization of her distress.

Her story appears in the film Medicating Normal (2020) where she engaged over 180 audiences during community screenings and/or panel discussions that encouraged dialogue about our mental health industry, informed consent, psychiatric drug use and withdrawal. Angie now serves as a psychiatric drug withdrawal consultant and healing coach. She provides education and support to individuals, families and organizations interested in harm reduction, and the healing from and deprescribing of psychiatric drugs.

Thank you for being here with us. Thank you for being brave.

To learn more about Angie Peacock, MSW, visit www.apeacockconsulting.com. To connect with the host of Courage Unlocked visit www.michelewaterman.com.

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Joanne Omer is a Lifestyle Coach and Feminine Energy Expert who is dedicated to empowering individuals to live abundant and fulfilling lives. With over 10 years of experience in coaching and training in various modalities, Joanne brings a unique and dynamic approach to her coaching practice.

Many of Joanne's clients have experienced breakthroughs in areas such as personal power, relationships, finances, love, intimacy, and career through her coaching. She believes that as human beings, we are made up of a body, mind, and spirit, and therefore addresses all aspects of a person's well-being in her sessions, coaching, retreats, and workshops.

In 2019, Joanne founded KunYin Studios and launched KunYin ~ Feminine Energy in Motion, a healing movement modality specifically designed for women. Over the last 5 years over 35 women have participated in the KunYin Instructor Training and over 20 women now represent this work from Australia to the UK, the Middle East, United States and Canada.

KunYin aims to help women remember their truth, their bodies, and heal in the energy of unconditional love. Joanne brings a fusion of distinctions and a contagious energy to her coaching practice, creating extraordinary results for her clients.

With her passion for helping individuals live their best lives, Joanne has become a trusted and sought-after expert in the field of personal development and empowerment.

Featured Guest Websites:

www.joanneomer.com

www.kunyin.com.au

Courage Unlocked Host, Michele Waterman:

www.michelewaterman.com

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I am thrilled to introduce you to one of my heroes–Robert Whitaker.

Robert Whitaker is the author of five books, three of which tell of the history of psychiatry. In 2010, his Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness won the U.S. Investigative Reporters and Editors book award for best investigative journalism. Prior to writing books, he worked as a science reporter at the Albany Times Union newspaper in New York for a number of years. He is the founder of www.madinamerica.com - a website that features research news and blogs by an international group of writers interested in “rethinking psychiatry.”

I have read his book Anatomy of an Epidemic cover to cover twice. And I am devastated to inform you that I am one of millions of people that was harmed by psychiatry.

You are listening to a two part episode. Episode 5 is part I of our conversation. The first part of the conversation with Robert includes large pieces of my story relative to his book Anatomy of an Epidemic.

This is a tough conversation to say the least and I will not shy away from the harm being done to me and millions of people, including innocent children that are not able to give their true informed consent to psychotropic medications that are causing neuro-adaptations.

Episode 6: Part-two of our conversation, is mostly a monologue of me talking about what is wrong with the status quo, the absolute necessity for mental health care reform in the United States and any country that is pedaling this chemical imbalance marketing hoax.

Please note that I am not anti-medication.

I am fiercely pro-informed consent and I am committed to self-determination, harm reduction and advancing mental health care that is anti-oppressive, culturally sensitive and aims to help people resolve their problems with living–not simply numb and drug their pain and suffering.

Thank you for being here with us. Thank you for being brave.

To learn more about Robert Whitaker, visit www.madinamerica.com. To connect with the host of Courage Unlocked visit www.michelewaterman.com.

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I am thrilled to introduce you to one of my heroes–Robert Whitaker.

Robert Whitaker is the author of five books, three of which tell of the history of psychiatry. In 2010, his Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness won the U.S. Investigative Reporters and Editors book award for best investigative journalism. Prior to writing books, he worked as a science reporter at the Albany Times Union newspaper in New York for a number of years. He is the founder of www.madinamerica.com - a website that features research news and blogs by an international group of writers interested in “rethinking psychiatry.”

I have read his book Anatomy of an Epidemic cover to cover twice. And I am devastated to inform you that I am one of millions of people that was harmed by psychiatry.

You are listening to a two part episode. Episode 5 is part I of our conversation. The first part of the conversation with Robert includes large pieces of my story relative to his book Anatomy of an Epidemic.

This is a tough conversation to say the least and I will not shy away from the harm being done to me and millions of people, including innocent children that are not able to give their true informed consent to psychotropic medications that are causing neuro-adaptations.

Episode 6: Part-two of our conversation, is mostly a monologue of me talking about what is wrong with the status quo, the absolute necessity for mental health care reform in the United States and any country that is pedaling this chemical imbalance marketing hoax.

Please note that I am not anti-medication.

I am fiercely pro-informed consent and I am committed to self-determination, harm reduction and advancing mental health care that is anti-oppressive, culturally sensitive and aims to help people resolve their problems with living–not simply numb and drug their pain and suffering.

Thank you for being here with us. Thank you for being brave.

To learn more about Robert Whitaker, visit www.madinamerica.com. To connect with the host of Courage Unlocked visit www.michelewaterman.com.

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Join me for Part II of my conversation with Renee Schuls-Jacobson--artist and author of Psychiatrized: Waking Up After a Decade of Bad Medicine for a deep, intense, and heart-felt conversation about her recovering from an iatrogenic injury she sustained from taking a benzodiazepine as prescribed by a psychiatrist for insomnia.

This episode is real and raw. Be mindful of your own needs for those in the midst of healing trauma. We will discuss adverse childhood experiences including sexual assault, birth trauma, and many other topics that lead to Renee being “psychiatrized.” We will also discuss her 8 year recovery from discontinuation syndrome caused by taking benzos as prescribed, plus the miracles along the way, lessons learned from inpatient trauma treatment and how the gift of art therapy, which started as a comforting distraction from her injuries, later become her passionate, purposeful, heart-centered profession.

Renée A. Schuls-Jacobson graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Hobart & William Smith Colleges (1989) and a Master’s degree from University of Buffalo (1992). Eight years after suffering an iatrogenic brain injury, Renée’s brain has mostly healed. Today, she is an independent artist whose paintings hang in private collections throughout the world. In addition to making and selling her artwork, it has become her mission to educate the public about the dangers associated with long-term psychiatric drug use. A Certified Recovery Peer Advocate, she offers emotional support to people suffering through protracted benzodiazepine and SSRI withdrawal syndrome. Her home and studio are located in Rochester, New York.

You can connect with Renee: website: www.rasjacobson.store

Facebook - RASJACOBSON ART https://www.facebook.com/rasjacobsonart

Instagram - @rasjacobson

Renee’s book Psychiatrized waking up after a decade of bad medicine can be purchased here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B099BXJWLT/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B099BXJWLT&linkCode=as2&tag=rasj-20&linkId=0a6254368c84111f28613d860167cab0

Thank you SO much for tuning in to The Real Joy Recovery podcast! Please subscribe, leave a review, and share with your community.

It’s time to build a trauma-wise toolkit KNOWING you have the power to regenerate your mind/body/spirit + reimagine a whole new life.

To learn more about my offerings visit www.michelewaterman.com or connect with me on instagram @michelewatermancoaching.

Be well!

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Join me for Part I of my conversation with Renee Schuls-Jacobson--artist and author of Psychiatrized: Waking Up After a Decade of Bad Medicine for a deep, intense, and heart-felt conversation about her recovering from an iatrogenic injury she sustained from taking a benzodiazepine as prescribed by a psychiatrist for insomnia.

This episode is real and raw. Be mindful of your own needs for those in the midst of healing trauma. We will discuss adverse childhood experiences including sexual assault, birth trauma, and many other topics that lead to Renee being “psychiatrized.” We will also discuss her 8 year recovery from discontinuation syndrome caused by taking benzos as prescribed, plus the miracles along the way, lessons learned from inpatient trauma treatment and how the gift of art therapy, which started as a comforting distraction from her injuries, later become her passionate, purposeful, heart-centered profession.

Renée A. Schuls-Jacobson graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Hobart & William Smith Colleges (1989) and a Master’s degree from University of Buffalo (1992). Eight years after suffering an iatrogenic brain injury, Renée’s brain has mostly healed. Today, she is an independent artist whose paintings hang in private collections throughout the world. In addition to making and selling her artwork, it has become her mission to educate the public about the dangers associated with long-term psychiatric drug use. A Certified Recovery Peer Advocate, she offers emotional support to people suffering through protracted benzodiazepine and SSRI withdrawal syndrome. Her home and studio are located in Rochester, New York.

You can connect with Renee: website: www.rasjacobson.store

Facebook - RASJACOBSON ART https://www.facebook.com/rasjacobsonart

Instagram - @rasjacobson

Renee’s book Psychiatrized waking up after a decade of bad medicine can be purchased here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B099BXJWLT/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B099BXJWLT&linkCode=as2&tag=rasj-20&linkId=0a6254368c84111f28613d860167cab0

Thank you SO much for tuning in to The Real Joy Recovery podcast! Please subscribe, leave a review, and share with your community.

It’s time to build a trauma-wise toolkit KNOWING you have the power to regenerate your mind/body/spirit + reimagine a whole new life.

To learn more about my offerings visit www.michelewaterman.com or connect with me on instagram @michelewatermancoaching.

Be well!

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In this episode I have a conversation with Chris Paige, LCSW to talk about how trauma affects the nervous system and how modalities like EMDR and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) can help people integrate trauma.

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) uses specially-filtered music to train the neural network associated with listening to focus on the frequency range of the human voice. Through the SSP program, the vagus nerve becomes stimulated and the state of feeling more safe and calm becomes accessible.

Chris Paige, MSW, LCSW is a licensed therapist and coach with more than 28 years of experience resolving trauma. He graduated from Barry University with a Master’s of Social Work after completing his undergraduate studies at Southern Methodist University.

He has worked in a variety of professional and therapeutic settings and has coached professional and Olympic athletes to achieve peak performance.

Highly skilled in treating trauma, Chris has been featured on Dateline NBC for his work with children of divorce as well as in the national magazine, Muses and Visionaries, in which he had his own column called “On the Couch with Chris Paige.”

Chris is trained in hypnosis, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), the Safe and Sound Protocol, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and Somatic Psychotherapy-- all of which he incorporates in his work. He has been in private practice since 1998 and provides trauma resolution coaching to clients across the nation.

To learn more about Chris and his offerings visit www.chrispaigelcsw.com or you can connect with him on FB at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009338069769

To work with me or discover more about my offerings visit www.michelewaterman.com. You can also find me on Instagram @michelewatermancoach - DM me. I would love to hear from you.

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In this episode I have a conversation with Holly Higginsto talk about the power of the subconscious mind and how limiting beliefs take hold (like believing “there is something wrong with me”). We unpack the art + science of using Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) to access the subconscious mind to change deeply held beliefs.

Holly Higgins is a hypnotherapist who takes a root-cause approach to holistic mental wellness. She works with unconventional souls to help them overcome their most challenging inner blocks. In addition to serving international clients in 1-1 and group settings, she is passionate about sharing knowledge through her top-rated podcast, Mindspeak. Holly is an avid homesteader and hiker, and lives with her husband Sean in Knoxville, TN.

To connect with Holly, visit her website www.hollyfisherhiggins.com or you can connect with her on Instagram @hollyfischerhiggins. You can also listen to her top-rated podcast Mindspeak https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindspeak-holistic-mental-health-with-holly-higgins/id1481418291 which explores holistic mental health and all things mind-body wellness.

To work with me or find out more about my offerings visit www.michelewaterman.com. You can also find me on Instagram @michelewatermancoach - DM me. I would love to hear from you.

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Thank you so much for tuning in and taking the time to keep the oxygen mask on you.

I’ve been sober for twenty years. I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression. I took antidepressants for almost two decades.

I was told that I needed meds to balance my brain chemistry. I was told that the “dose that got me well, would keep me well.”

I was told that I had a progressive mental illness that was TREATMENT resistant. But sixteen years later, parked on a multi-med cocktail, I was numb and completely disconnected from the real me and I didn’t even know it. The medications were suppressing symptoms of trauma and once I was off them, I learned the drugs were never designed to heal trauma in the first place.

That’s why I am creating the Real Joy Recovery podcast--because it’s time to have a REAL-conversations about generating mental wellness and we just cannot get there without addressing trauma.

We are complex, dynamic human BEINGS. Our brains, our nervous systems, and all of the systems in our bodies are interconnected.

It’s time for us to take our power back, listen to the wisdom of our bodies, heal our trauma, and truly connect with ourselves and one another like never before.

This podcast is designed to help you understand what that means for YOU. And I promise you this—You are not broken.

I’m on a mission to connect you to the TRUTH of what is possible!

Thanks so much for tuning in today and I can’t wait for you to dive into the next episode.

We live in a fast-paced, performance based, quick fix, biohacking, get shit done, get to good, sleep when you die kind of culture.

We’re dealing with a pandemic, cancel culture, prejudices, polarization, isolation, exponential increases in anxiety, depression and we’re freaking tired, stressed out, and overwhelmed but instead of resting and having compassion for each other we’re medicating, numbing, dissociating and feeling shame for not being positive all the time or living a life that matches what we see on social media.

Mainstream doctors, therapists, and psychiatrists treat symptoms and assign diagnostic codes so insurance companies can be billed and then hand pills out like candy, increasing the dose every time we feel the shit we’d rather not feel instead of saying “yes, it makes sense that you’re tired, overwhelmed, not sleeping, have a foggy brain…”

We must stop reducing people down to labels based on a cluster of symptoms and start getting curious about the whole person—mind/body/spirit—in the context of their whole life.