Episodes

She was discovered hitchhiking on a busy interstate. Barefoot. Tasmanian devil boxer shorts. Ripped t-shirt. Her dog — off leash — right beside her as cars raced past them. That's the story Michele Capots told her 16-year-old nephew over dinner. The nephew who had just ghosted her after finding out she'd been hospitalized for severe depression. This episode is about what happens when you finally stop protecting people from your truth — and what it costs you when you don't. Michele is a mental ...

J. Ross Parrelli is a rapper, slam poet, educator, and founder of Beats Lyrics Leaders — a hip hop arts education organization that has worked with over 50,000 students across 150+ classrooms, from military academies to Native American reservations. In this conversation, J. Ross and Jen go deep on what it actually costs to speak your truth and what it gives back. J. Ross shares the story of being publicly defamed for standing and serving on matters she believed in. They also get into killer st...

Episode overview In this candid, tender conversation, Jen Oliver and Jen Aks discuss what it means to tell the truth and end a relationship—especially when it was seemingly “really good.” There was no villain and no tidy explanation that satisfies logic. Jen Aks shares the pivotal choice to leave her 20-year marriage, the internal cost of trusting her body when her mind demanded proof, and how truth-telling reshaped her relationships, parenting, identity, and purpose. The conversation moves fr...

I once believed - ignorantly - that “guidance” according to our star signs & astrological charts was for softheaded people needing the power of suggestion to make decisions. This conversation with Rachel Loewenherz blew my echo chamber wide open. Rachel shares her journey from a traditional background, Ivy League education, and corporate career to embracing spirituality and astrology. Along the way she experienced tremendous losses and health challenges - which along with her expertise - also i...

I was always intrigued by the premise behind “Love Is Blind” - a reality show where singles try to find a match and fall in love -- without ever seeing each other face-to-face, as emotional connection attempts to conquer physical attraction. Full disclosure, I don’t watch TV so I haven’t seen an episode but still, the notion of moving beyond physical appearance and chemistry feels simultaneously intriguing and super risky. Then @Drew Taylor Cohen caught my attention with a post detailing her ex...

My conversation with Dr. Kasi Lacey speaks to a common experience among many; a woman and leader confronting the glass ceiling in an organization. Kasi was passed over more than once for positions she was eminently qualified for “because they were instructed to hire a man…” Her encounter with gender bias became an inflection point; she did a new thing and made the decision to walk in and “act like a man” and demand the job she had more than earned. Kasi deliberately mimicked the hubris and assertion of a man who once came to her office demanding a promotion of his own. It worked. As a bi-racial woman who presents “white” - Dr. Lacey shares her experiences with racism as well as toxic leadership and hustle culture. We also discuss the complexities of a “fake it til you make it” mentality and the significance of listening to one's inner voice as a means of empowerment and self-trust. Join the conversation!

In this conversation, Amber Abila and I discuss the challenges many of us face when it comes to listening to our bodies, setting boundaries, and giving voice to what’s true for us. Amber is a binge and overeating coach, while I coach people to speak with impact and clarity from their truest voice. We both see huge overlap in our coaching practices and agree that listening to our body is crucial for understanding our needs and then getting them met - whether that is with moderate amounts of nourishing food or expressing our authentic Selves verbally. It has taken me a long time to learn what it means to create safety in my body, to sit with my emotions and not eat or drink them away. Amber and I dig into matters of self-worth, the struggle against people-pleasing, and the reality of shame and its ability to trigger overeating, binge eating, staying silent or speaking non-truths. It’s all related…join the conversation.

I don’t often use the word “enlightening” but this conversation with Lara Waldman was just that. We explored our stories of spiritual awakening, the ways that we understand this elusive term called “manifestation,” and our unique journeys of self-discovery. This was a topic of conversation that I once would have labeled heretical and taboo because it didn’t align with my limited viewpoint or echo chamber. What a loss that would have been. Lara shares her personal experiences to illustrate the interconnectedness of money, intimacy, and ancestral trauma. At one point, she says, “...for me, manifesting is mostly about releasing and letting go of everything that is NOT YOU, which is a lot of history, a lot of stories, a lot of programs, a lot of patterns…we're here to know ourselves often through the experience of lack, but that's not the truth of who we are…manifesting is connecting with who you are and what your soul wants to experience through physical reality. And that's not just the…

When echo chambers collide you get the best conversation! I sat down with Justin Cauthen, a man with 20 years of military service and five combat tours to his credit - not to mention leadership roles in situations and countries where hostility is often the norm. His story is powerful. And so is his heart. We talked about things that matter deeply—PTSD, suicide, the ripple effect trauma has across professions, the toll military life takes on spouses and kids. Justin shared with such humility and vulnerability. One of the things he said that struck me most was this: trauma radiates. And it does—it moves through people, relationships, even whole communities. And this is experienced by many - not just those associated with the military. BUT, there is a flip side! Healing also has a ripple effect. This conversation is also about “assuming noble intent” - as Justin puts it - lowering our defenses, asking the hard questions, and holding space for someone else's truth. And let me tell you, …

Y’all, this episode with Bara Mann was one that I want you to be a part of. We talked about belonging, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves—especially the ones that no longer serve us. Bara shared her childhood moments of trying to fit in - and I talked of what that looks like as an adult. I’ve been that chameleon too—fitting in everywhere, but not necessarily showing all of me. This conversation was about breaking down the invisible walls we put up, and finding courage to speak from our truest place. We also explored the energy of our words—how our stories hold weight, shape our lives, and ripple into the world. Every time we speak from our truth, we add momentum to the life we want to live. This episode is a loving invitation to question old stories and come home to yourself. Grab a seat on the couch. Let’s keep going deeper. Together.

Reading “Horribly Lovely” was exactly that…and, I could not stop turning the pages. My conversation with the author, Jon Kohrs, went deep as we talked about his “Horribly Lovely” journey. I will avoid spoilers, but this newly released book may cause you to reconsider many things. I confess to sitting in judgment of people and behaviors that Jon’s writing exposes; from addiction to marital infidelity, he opens the door wide open to us with each chapter. This conversation opened me up to a greater space of love, compassion, and understanding. Jon shares his personal experiences with shame and an insatiable quest for connection, providing insights into the challenges of being truly present for people we love and the impact of past traumas on current relationships. We also discuss the roots of addiction, the stigma surrounding suicidal ideation, and the importance of authenticity in sharing personal stories. The dialogue emphasizes the gray areas of right and wrong, the beauty in mess…

Janice and I unpack our personal fears and the unique way she continues to overcome hers. I am someone who has historically craved certainty and safety - and as usual – my perspective shifts and so does our conversation! Our discussion pivoted into dating, love and our own relationships and divorces. We got into communication and breakups and the way fear can be both debilitating and liberating. I met Janice when she became one of my 2024 TEDx speakers - her talk was different because it was about identifying emotional wounds, facing fears and overcoming them by doing some pretty unique things, one fear, per year. She also has a podcast of the same name. This episode is one more REAL conversation that helps normalize fear and our admissions around it. Join the conversation…

One year ago, a Valentine’s Day love letter came my way and I recorded my thoughts about it. This week’s episode is a replay and is the perfect precursor to my next conversation in which I unpack all that has changed (or not) in the last year…Join me.

I am honored to be in conversation with Mark Patinkin, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in international reporting, as he shares an array of human stories that help us to grasp the complexities of life and war in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. Patinkin moves from armchair commentaries to analyst to storyteller and beautifully amplifies voices and perspectives that need to be heard. He goes into the homes of both Jews and Palestinians to bear witness to their experiences. Mark is one of few journalists allowed into Gaza and he takes readers and listeners like us with him. There is much to learn from this conversation and Mark’s book, the Holy Land at War (and more importantly from those actually living within this ongoing struggle).

My limited view on love and relationships has been blown wide open again. Anna K. Morris is on the “couch” with me and we talk super candidly about true love and knowledge of self in our romantic partnerships. This is NOT the rom-com, cultural ideal, religiously formed, or social media driven version of “love and romance.” We talk about the REAL, exciting, painful, ego-challenging and even non-conventional approaches to a strong relationship - one built upon healthy autonomy as an individual FIRST - which can lend to a greater level of intimacy with others. Anna talks openly about her life with Derek which lacks the co-dependent dance that I brought to my own relationships in the past. We both dive into our personal experiences with heartbreak, deep intimacy, and the importance of listening to one's body for clues on both. We continually come back to the significance of integrity in relationships and the necessity of being whole as a precursor to seeking love from others.. Join us.

My friend and guest, Kelley Sewell, says her voice felt small in her younger years –yet when she wrote, she found solace and empowerment in the act of writing—her pen becoming a powerful tool to express what couldn’t always be spoken. Join me in an intimate conversation with Kelley, a skilled book editor and writer, as we unpack the journey of discovering our true voice through writing, speaking and other creative outlets - along with the liberation that comes when we break free from constraints that keep us silent. It’s not just about putting words on a page, but about engaging in self-discovery and healing. We delve into the profound role writing plays in facilitating tough conversations, particularly around sensitive issues like domestic violence (a topic we cover in our second segment). By sharing our personal experiences, we want to inspire essential dialogues with others, using written words as both personal medicine and a bridge to connect, support, and advocate for change. O…

I loved my conversation with Brad Walsh, a boudoir photographer and male ally in the women’s empowerment space. Brad has a quality about him that makes a potentially sensitive topic totally accessible - we delve right into the art and beauty we’ve uniquely experienced when clothing is removed. This chat transcends lingerie, eroticism and taking pictures purely to create turn-on in another person (although many may pursue this art form for that reason). Not even close. Brad describes the way in which a woman emerges new, more whole, and enthralled with her own beauty after a photography session PLUS we explore the psychological safety needed to make that possible when we hold space for others. Join us for this conversation and have your perspective expanded with regard to the dignity, vulnerability, and strength that this artform offers.

I am “on the couch” in conversation with Saloma Fisher who lived until age 32 in a conservative Amish community; we covered stuff that shocked me right out of my own misconceptions. Yes, there are the typical things many are aware of…no cars, modern conveniences, outside influences, music, or TV. BUT, the drinking, partying and “bed courting” that begins for some Amish youth around age 16? Lesser known. Saloma and I also talk about what being ex-communicated from your family and community feels like along with how she started over as a single parent with an 8th grade education and no knowledge of how to pay bills, take a job, and so on. Saloma loves deeply and is a woman of incredible faith despite being told she was going to “hell” in a community where you can only hope to be good enough through your works to merit heaven. She helps me understand the coexistence of being oppressed and living fearfully in a prescribed role AND feeling safe and secure in a loving community and fai…

We got passionate and informed in this episode.I had the honor of hosting @TracyDeTomasi, CEO of Callisto, a survivor-founded nonprofit that has been able to create an encrypted platform allowing sexual assault survivors to find others harmed by the same perpetrator, without requiring them to report or come forward publicly. With a match in the Callisto Vault system, survivors receive free and confidential legal options counseling. This is a win-win-win and yet – with all of the money and resources in the world - Callisto is at risk of closing their doors. How can this be? We dive into a very REAL conversation about what’s at stake. Activist, educator and Jeffrey Epstein survivor, Jess Michaels, underscores the fact that surviving sexual assault is difficult on many levels - but it is made a bit easier when you aren’t alone in it; Callisto is a force for healing in that sense. The three of us converse boldly about the REAL good being done and the voices and financial backing needed …

Oh this conversation, EEEEEEK! Femily Howe joins me on the “couch” and we cover the best stuff - from unconventional relationships to gender equity at its creative and inclusive best in our corporate cultures. Add in a killer discussion on feminism and the value of keeping our labels and then top the conversation off with Femily’s expanded definition of queer – and my echo chamber is blown-all-the-way-up. And, if you don’t believe we talked about ALL of this and more in one episode, then you haven’t spent enough time on my couch:) I hope you join us - it’s a cozy conversation we want you in on. Resources and cool things mentioned on this episode: 7 Pillars of Liberated Love by Halley Inez Miglietta Find Your Unicorn Space by Eve Rodsky Listen for REAL episode with Jill Osur and Lisa Orrell - Love stories without labels

This conversation was powerful and a testimony to what is possible! Jacia Kornwise shares parts of her compelling journey from victimhood to survivorship, illustrating the liberating tool of emotional and physical expression. Her energy, clarity, strength and ability to thrive inspires me… Join us as we explore the deep-seated connection between trauma, movement, and healing. Her insights are enriched with personal stories, including her childhood adversities and the tragic loss of her brother, and her experience as the victim of a violent crime at age 26. We cover the science behind how trauma impacts both the mind and body; discussing the concept of generational trauma and how unresolved issues can be passed down through genetic markers, affecting subsequent generations. Most importantly, Jacia and I recount our personal experiences with trauma, emphasizing the need to reconnect with our bodies to create new neural pathways for healing and freedom. In this episode, we also exp…

I spoke with Lisa Howard because I recall making assumptions about “activists” in previous years, especially as it relates to climate change. Full disclosure, I KNEW NOTHING about the state of our planet or the climate and simply parroted what I would hear conservative pundits assert. . SO now, I have conversations like these to learn, expand my perspective, and shift where necessary. This conversation applies to anyone who sees a problem and actively works to make the situation better for themselves and others. May we all adopt this title! Talking to Lisa was lovely because it helped me understand the heart behind many activists - regardless of their cause. The term “activist” gets a bad rap in some settings, but regardless of the cause - I have a newfound admiration for those who commit time, talent, and energy and take risks for something they believe in - and I count myself among them.

I am upping the ante on REAL conversations as I sit down with my close friends, Jill Osur and Lisa Orrell. Jill and Lisa's not-so-random meeting led to a partnership that's as dynamic as it is loving. Their relationship teaches and challenges me and our open-hearted talks underscore the power of honest friendships - the kind in which we can show up authentically while paving the way to a more equitable world. We unpack my once narrow, and sadly, homophobic perspective and how it has expanded in large part due to conversations with LGBTQ+ friends and loved ones. This conversation offers further proof that our lived experience and personal story can change minds when we share our truest selves with others. I also love our discussion on the gift of Gen Z - the next wave of humans who are pretty perplexed by older generations’ use of societal labels and our tendency toward categorizing human souls.

I am doing my level best to get out of my head and connect more deeply with my soul and this conversation with Michal Spiegelman was right on time (aren’t all REAL conversations that way?) Michal is a master at helping us to tune into and dialogue with our soul. We discuss the spectrum of experiences and emotions that come with living soulFULLY – and Michal explains the difference between soul-care and self-care. Join the conversation…