Be Authentically Fabulous: Recent Episodes
Chris Contreras
If you have felt unseen, unheard and insignificant, but want to step out from the background of your life to overcome fear, be heard and live your best life, this podcast is for you!
That's a wrap on Season 1. I will be taking a break over the summer and return in September.
I am so grateful for all of my guests and for the listeners... THANK YOU so much!
I would truly appreciate any feedback, reviews and ratings.
If you would like to be a guest on Be Authentically Fabulous, please contact me at any of the following:
Email: browniz1969@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/txbrowniz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/browniz1969/
Interview with Joy Angel.
Joy Angel lives in Arlington, Texas and enjoys a fulfilling career as a Software Engineer at Texas Health Resources. After an earlier marriage ended in divorce, she married the love of her life in 2015. They desired a family, but with her past pregnancy challenges, she knew it wasn't possible to carry her own children.
With prayers and family support, Joy and her husband decided to become foster parents, with hopes of one day adopting. Fast forward 6 years and they have a 5 year old son and a 17 month old daughter. Both were adopted and as they like to say "We've got papers on you now."
There were many times they thought they could not continue fostering, as the children came into their home and left, sometimes with only a day's notice. Joy states that fostering has been rewarding & fun, with lots of tears and laughter. She believes that it’s the most paramount and meaningful thing she has ever done.
Interview with Jonathan Wells.
Raised in the hill country of Texas, Jonathan has now planted his feet in the heart of Texas, Austin. He is a self-proclaimed cowboy, but has ventured out in travels to become well diversified in the workplace. This has led him to various backgrounds such as corporate operations management and training, motivational speaking, and three of his own businesses. These have increased his ability to effectively communicate with people from all walks of life.
Jonathan began his path to recovery in 2011. Through the guidance of his higher power, sponsor, family and fellow members of the recovery community, Jonathan understands the value of helping others and the importance of becoming an advocate for positive change in the Austin Recovery Community.
In this amazing interview, Jonathan discusses his journey of coming out to his family, his intense fight through years of addiction and multiple traumas, and ultimately finding his community.
TW: Self Harm
Interview with Grace Wilson.
Grace is a 33 year old nurse and dog mom, currently living in East Texas. Her interests include photography, spending time in nature and deep conversation.
Grace talks about growing up in a strict Christian home, then her family converting to Orthodox Judaism after her parents divorced when she was 16 years old.
She shares how she considered self-harm after her boyfriend died of suicide and the powerful words of a hotline worker she credits with saving her life.
We also discuss religion, our perception of that which we call God and many other deep thoughts.
This episode was recorded on Sunday, May 8th/Mother's day.
My Mom (Nancy), Becky & I share about our experiences of becoming moms, growing up without a mom, the loss of a child and also our thoughts on the possible overturning of Roe V. Wade. We laughed, we cried and shared our stories.
Interview with Heather Webster.
Heather Webster is a Nature Based Insight Coach. She supports women to live a fulfilling healthy radiant life that aligns with their purpose.
Heather uses a holistic journey approach to look at the individual as a whole, so women can find radical self-love, self-confidence and a stronger connection to their spirit and self, to reach their wildest dreams and find joy in the everyday.
Links:
IG: @heatherwebsterwellness
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/heatherwebsterwellness
Website: www.heatherwebsterwellness.com
My wife, Becky, joins me again in this episode as we share our journey together, how we downsized, sold our home and moved full-time into 30' travel trailer. We share a few of the challenges that we have overcome along the way and how we have envisioned & manifested the life that we desire.
Interview with Hollie Rumman.
Great conversation with the sweet and insightful Hollie Rumman about mindset tools, building confidence and the importance of finding your joy and passion.
Hollie is a wife and mom of 2 girls, animal lover, obsessive about personal growth and an avid coffee drinker.
Her background is in advertising and marketing - with a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing from Northwestern University.
Her love for marketing and learning runs deep, but she found her true passion in coaching where she teaches and helps other women to grow, conquer their limiting beliefs and up-level their confidence to take that next step to find success, joy and happiness.
This past January, Hollie started a podcast called “You Can Do Amazing Things” to be able to teach and serve more people and it is truly filling her soul with joy.
Podcast website: You Can Do Amazing Things
https://podcast.hollierumman.com
Main website: Hollie Rumman - Personal Growth Strategist
https://www.hollierumman.com
In this short solo episode, I share about my experience with the WildFit 90-day challenge and the importance of investing in your physical, mental & spiritual health.
For more info on WildFit, check this link: https://getwildfit.com/
Interview with Aimee Elkman.
In this episode, Aimee shares how meditation & journaling practices have changed her life.
We have a great discussion about the most impactful self help books that we have read.
(Books listed below)
Aimee Elkman has been a real estate agent for over 17 yrs. She works with her husband, who is a real estate investor and house flipper. They have been married for 23 yrs. and have 3 amazing children.
Aimee is an active community volunteer and hosts the ‘Ace Your Life’ podcast, encouraging others to choose to feel good in their life every single day.
She loves the beach, walking with her honey and their 2 Aussiedoodles, loves being a mama and creating & listening to podcasts.
Books Referenced:
Rachel Hollis - Girl, Wash Your Face
Emily Fletcher - Stress Less, Accomplish More
Gabby Bernstein - The Universe Has Your Back
Rhonda Byrne - The Magic
Susie Moore - Let It Be Easy
Lauren Handel Zander - Maybe It's You
David Richo - How To Be An Adult
Just a little bonus for my birthday week.
My honey, Becky, and I answer some fun relationship questions so you can get to know us a bit better.
You can also watch the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lby0TvrR9Xw
Solo episode on how to become aware of our old stories and false beliefs that keep us stuck and how to let go of fear and excuses that are tripping us up and holding us back from an amazing life.
Tips on how to let go of our present story and rewrite a new one that fits who we truly are by using affirmations.
Interview with Lisa Perkins.
Lisa is a nurse practitioner who works in addiction medicine.
She shares how her dad's alcohol addiction lead to her career path and about her dad's intervention at age 65, proving it's never too late to make a major life change.
She also shares some of the life lessons she has learned over the years... that she is worthy of love, having a partner in life and that she doesn't have to do everything alone.
A short solo episode about settling for less out of fear and old habits.
How we should take baby steps now to get out of our comfort zone and move toward our dreams.
Interview with Alicia Montelongo Vargas.
Alicia shares her journey through molestation, two abusive relationships, motherhood, caring for a toddler with special needs and the powerful life lessons she has learned along the way.
Short solo episode about our Louisiana road trip when our truck broke down.
I share a few lessons learned from the experience to help you in similar stressful situations.
Note: a few s-words and 1 f-bomb in this episode.
Interview with Kreed Revere.
Kreed is a relationship reconciliation coach, support group facilitator, published author and podcaster. She is the host of The Estranged Heart podcast, discussing her own estrangement and reconciliation experience with her adult children and shares the stories of other estranged parents and adult children helping to support the rebuilding and transformation of these relationships.
In this episode, Kreed shares her miraculous journey through motherhood, coming out as a lesbian, heartbreak, two surrogate pregnancies, then moving across the country to find herself. She also discusses her estrangement and reconciliation with her adult daughters and how she is using her experience to help others navigate this difficult, but all too common, situation.
Solo episode sharing the cool story of how we manifested the perfect home for us.
Envision what you desire, write it down in detail, act as if you already have it and then feel the joy of having it!
Interview with Tara Walsh, host of the Starwhaal podcast. (@starwhaal)
We talk about synchronicities, connecting with our soul, healing from the inside out, tapping into next level magic & much more!
Tara Walsh is mom of 2 humans & staffy fur babies. She loves the ocean and says that the sun feeds her soul. She is a lover of all furry animals with a passion to help others discover their purpose. She is fascinated by all things unconventional and unexplainable. She loves to laugh! She is the author of a healthy dog nutrition on a budget book (that includes recipes), and a chronic mental health warrior & recovered addict now turned entrepreneur & coach.
Interview with Smilin' Jay McDowell.
Jay played upright bass for the band BR5-49. The band opened for Bob Dylan, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, and John Fogerty. They traveled to 22 countries and were nominated for 3 Grammy awards.
After leaving the band, Jay started editing music videos for many country artists and in 2004, Jay was nominated for an Emmy for his work on Jason Ringenberg’s educational character, Farmer Jason.
Jay now runs the video department at The Musicians Hall of Fame, which was started to bring attention to studio & road musicians who play such a vital role in the creation of music, but rarely get the attention they deserve.
Jay and I also attended high school together in Indiana.
We had a fun chat about the power of perspective.
Jay is kind, talented and an amazing story teller!
In this episode, I share the short-version of my life story... how I piled on layers of protective armor over the years and the turning point when I started to peel those layers away to become my authentic self.
Interview with guest, Jocey Wiitanen, host of the Make Life Fun podcast.
Jocey shares about her journey across the globe to come home to herself.
We also talk about people pleasing, healing old wounds, letting go & trusting that we will be guided.
Short trailer sharing who I am, why I started this podcast and what listeners can expect to hear and gain from listening each week.