Sometimes the most courageous act isn’t holding on, it’s letting go. In this powerful episode of Unblocked , I sit down with Hannah Rose — Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, speaker, consultant, founder of Rose Wellness Counseling, and former Survivor 45 contestant — to explore when walking away is the bravest, most self-honoring move you can make. Hannah is no stranger to bold pivots. On national TV, she stood up at Tribal Council and chose to leave the game, a decision that unleashed a ...
Jun 15, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 135
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kevin Mays - executive coach, founder of Mays Leadership, and a trusted guide to some of the nation’s top leaders. With a background in behavioral science, leadership development, and organizational consulting, Kevin helps high-impact individuals strengthen their leadership from the inside out. And that’s exactly what this conversation is about. Too many people are trained to manage what’s happening " out there," the deadlines, the clients, the optics, the pe...
May 25, 2025•58 min•Ep. 134
When was the last time you held back what you really wanted to say because you didn’t like how you sounded? Worried you’d be “too much”? Not enough? Too emotional, too aggressive, too soft? In this firecracker of a conversation, I am joined by the brilliant Samara Bay - Hollywood speech coach, bestselling author of Permission to Speak , and a leading voice in helping people reclaim their own. Samara has coached Oscar-winning actors, presidential candidates, Fortune 500 executives, and everyday f...
May 18, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 133
In this episode, I’m joined by Carey Davidson, founder of Harmin Labs and author of The Five Archetypes . Carey brings a transformative lens to understanding yourself and others by integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine, neuroscience, and behavioral science into a powerful system of self-awareness and relational healing. If you’ve ever felt stuck in reactive patterns, misunderstood in your relationships, or unsure of how to access your full potential, this conversation will give you the framew...
May 11, 2025•54 min•Ep. 132
Are you gripping tightly to beliefs, behaviors, or identities that are holding you back from becoming who you were designed to be? In this episode of Unblocked , we're diving deep into the real reasons why letting go feels so hard—even when we know something isn't serving us anymore. We explore the neuroscience, the psychology, and the emotional truth behind why we stay stuck in people-pleasing, scarcity, shame, validation-seeking, and other protective patterns. Inspired by a powerful question f...
May 04, 2025•26 min•Ep. 131
On this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro , we are joined by the radiant and resilient Dr. Mecca Nelson—a Gold Star spouse, wellness entrepreneur, author, and founder of Mecca’s City of Wholeness. After losing her husband, Army Sergeant Mario Nelson, in 2006, Mecca embarked on a powerful journey of grief, growth, and transformation. In this deeply moving conversation, she opens up about navigating trauma, reconnecting with her faith, and building a life rooted in purpose and holistic heal...
Apr 27, 2025•49 min•Ep. 130
Have you ever made a decision, stood by it, committed to it, only to later question if it was the right one? Have you ever worried that changing your mind would make you seem flaky, unreliable, or like you failed? In this episode of Unblocked , we’re tackling the fear and stigma around changing your mind. We explore: ✅ The real reason changing your mind feels so hard ✅ The guilt of breaking a commitment ✅ Why staying in something that no longer fits doesn’t redeem the past, it just steals from t...
Apr 20, 2025•16 min•Ep. 129
The biggest thing holding you back isn’t your circumstances but, rather, the way you think about them. In this episode of Unblocked , I'm introducing you to what I call Thought Alchemy. This is the process of transforming your thoughts to create the results you actually want. This is not about toxic positivity or wishing your way into success. It’s about real, actionable mental rewiring and learning how to shift your thoughts so they drive the emotions, actions, and outcomes you desire. Because ...
Apr 13, 2025•13 min•Ep. 128
Have you ever felt awkward, guilty, or even unworthy when someone compliments you? Do you instinctively deflect praise or feel like agreeing with it makes you arrogant? If so, you're not alone. Many high achievers, perfectionists, and recovering people-pleasers struggle with receiving recognition without discomfort. In this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro , we break down why praise can feel so uncomfortable and, more importantly, how to shift your mindset so you can own your strengths w...
Apr 06, 2025•15 min•Ep. 127
In today’s episode, I’m addressing a listener’s reaction to my discussion on B-minus work and why this concept is so misunderstood. If you’ve ever struggled with perfectionism or felt like you couldn’t put something out into the world unless it was flawless , this episode is for you. We’ll explore why perfectionism is not the same as excellence , how it actually slows us down, and why allowing B-minus work can lead to better results, less stress, and more impact. And of course, we’ll talk about ...
Mar 30, 2025•16 min•Ep. 126
Are you trying to do all the things but feeling like you’re spinning your wheels and running 100 miles an hour in different directions? In this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro, we’re tackling the buffet mentality. This is that urge to say yes to everything, take on every opportunity, and fill your plate to the brim. While it might feel like you’re being productive, the truth is, spreading yourself too thin often works against your goals. Today, we’ll break down why the buffet mentality ...
Mar 23, 2025•11 min•Ep. 125
Fear is something we all experience, but it doesn’t have to stop us. In this episode I cover some powerful ways we can reframe fear and use it as a compass to guide us toward what really matters. You’ll learn why fear feels so paralyzing, how to ask the right questions to uncover its hidden messages, and practical tools like fear-setting to turn fear into your ally. Whether you’re facing a career decision, struggling with self-doubt, or stepping into the unknown, this episode will give you the c...
Mar 16, 2025•16 min•Ep. 124
In this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro , we’re diving into what it really takes to break through fear, redefine success, and build a life that feels truly extraordinary. Joining me is Dr. Lucette Beall. She is a veterinarian, international bestselling author, speaker, and coach who has transformed her own challenges into a life of resilience, purpose, and impact . From surviving cancer as a single parent to navigating financial struggles and personal loss, Dr. Beall shares how she rebu...
Mar 09, 2025•52 min•Ep. 123
Your year is a book. Are you writing each chapter with intention? March is here, which means we’re turning the page to Chapter 3 of 12 in our year-long story. Instead of letting life happen to you, this episode will help you reflect, refocus, and reset so you can intentionally create the month you want. In this episode, we’ll cover: ✔ How to reflect on the previous month and celebrate your progress ✔ How to title your upcoming chapter and set a clear intention ✔ Simple actions to make sure the u...
Mar 02, 2025•17 min•Ep. 122
Do you ever feel like there’s a voice in your head constantly whispering, “You’re not good enough”? That’s your inner critic, and it’s time to silence it. In this episode of Unblocked , I talk about why we all have an inner critic, where it comes from, and, perhaps most importantly, how to stop letting it hold you back . You’ll learn four powerful tools to rewrite the script in your head and build unstoppable confidence . Whether you’re second-guessing yourself at work, in relationships, or in l...
Feb 23, 2025•18 min•Ep. 121
Fear of failure can paralyze us, keeping us stuck in inaction and disconnected from our potential. But what if you didn’t need to have it all figured out before starting? What if the secret to success wasn’t perfection but experimentation ? Today’s episode covers how you can overcome fear and build momentum by treating your goals, dreams, and challenges like experiments. I introduce the powerful D.I.L.I. method to help you take manageable, meaningful steps toward growth. Whether you’re navigatin...
Feb 16, 2025•17 min•Ep. 120
When was the last time you paused to ask yourself: What do I really want? Not what you think you should want. Not what others expect of you. But what you truly desire. Just for yourself. In this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro, we’re exploring the power of reconnecting with your deepest desires and dreams. If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or like you’re just going through the motions, this conversation will guide you back to the part of you that knows exactly what you want. Here’s...
Feb 09, 2025•15 min•Ep. 119
Overthinking feels like you're solving problems, but more often than not, it's keeping you stuck. Have you ever replayed decisions over and over in your mind, weighed every possible "what if," or delayed taking action because you weren’t sure it was the perfect choice? You're not alone. In this episode of Unblocked with Jessica Smarro, we get into how overthinking might be sabotaging your dreams and what you can do to stop it. Here’s what we explore: Why we overthink and how it’s your brain’s wa...
Feb 02, 2025•14 min
Do you ever feel like your emotions are running the show? Maybe you avoid them, resist them, or try to numb them out but deep down, you know they’re not going anywhere. In today's episode, we’re diving into emotional freedom - what it means, why it matters, and how you can start feeling your feelings without letting them control you. Emotional freedom isn’t about pretending everything is fine or controlling your emotions. It’s about creating space to process them in a healthy way, so you can mov...
Jan 26, 2025•17 min•Ep. 117
How often do you catch yourself saying, “I’m such a perfectionist,” but not as a complaint, more like a humblebrag? It’s time to get real: perfectionism is not a badge of honor. It’s not helping you strive for excellence. It’s holding you back. In this episode , we’re diving into the truth about perfectionism: Why it’s rooted in fear, not ambition. How it sneaks into your life disguised as a virtue. The ways it’s sabotaging your progress and keeping you stuck. And, most importantly, practical to...
Jan 12, 2025•22 min•Ep. 116
In today's episode, I welcome Vincent Infante to the podcast. Vincent is a dynamic mental performance coach with over 15 years of experience. He shares his hybrid approach that combines therapy, mentoring, and coaching to empower entrepreneurs, executives, and organizations in achieving high performance. In this conversation, we dive into mindset mastery, overcoming limiting beliefs, and the importance of level-setting expectations en route to your goals. Vincent shares his personal journey, the...
Dec 29, 2024•47 min•Ep. 114
Have you ever felt paralyzed by overthinking, unsure why you can’t seem to move forward? Chances are, it’s not the facts of your life holding you back, it’s the story you’re telling yourself about those facts. In this episode, I talk about the difference between facts and story and how your brain’s tendency to fill in the gaps with limiting narratives can keep you stuck. I unpack why stories are so powerful, why they often work against us, and how to rewrite the ones that don’t serve you. If you...
Dec 15, 2024•13 min•Ep. 114
Today’s episode is a game-changer! I’m thrilled to be joined by the incredible Melissa Tiers, founder of The Center for Integrative Hypnosis in New York City and co-founder of the Ethical Coaching Collective. Melissa is a multi-award-winning author and internationally renowned hypnosis trainer. Her groundbreaking work in integrative hypnosis, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), and mental health coaching is transforming how people understand the mind and achieve personal growth. In this conversa...
Dec 01, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 113
In today’s episode of the Unblocked Podcast , I dive into a question I'm often asked: “What exactly is a life coach?” After a surprising encounter with a sales associate, I realized that many people don’t fully understand what life coaching is, how it works, and how it can be life-changing. So, in this episode, I'm breaking it all down. From uncovering what life coaching really entails to explaining how it differs from therapy, I give an inside look into the benefits of coaching, who it’s for, a...
Nov 17, 2024•22 min•Ep. 112
Do you spend hours agonizing over what people will think of you? Or find yourself walking on eggshells trying to protect other people's peace? If this sounds like you, then tune in to the pod asap. Today’s guest is an expert on overcoming people-pleasing and helping us to stop making other people comfortable at our own expense. Oof. In today's episode Sara Fisk, the Stop People Pleasing Coach and host of the Ex-Good Girl Podcast, defines people-pleasing, perfectionism, and codependence and share...
Nov 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 111
In today's episode, I am joined by the wildly talented Ramon Ray. He shares his wisdom and insights on what it takes to own your gifts and talents and get busy offering them to the world. Tune in for a conversation that hits on the secret sauce of finding and living your passion the blocks and obstacles to owning your genius the power of *really* being heard balancing being seen with the "ick" of self promotion the permission slip you didn't know you needed to support you in navigating multiple ...
Oct 20, 2024•59 min•Ep. 110
Check out today’s episode for an inspiring story about how following your truth and fulfillment leads to opportunities for others to do the same. I am joined today by Rekha Magon, co-founder of Boundless Life, an innovative organization that reimagines education for modern families. Rekha followed her desires to create an experience that supports children and adults in exploring what lights them up, what they’re curious about, and how to create a life of purposeful and relevant learning. This co...
Oct 06, 2024•52 min•Ep. 109
Today's episode is one that will have you tapping into the depths of yourself. Tune in for a conversation that not only offers stories of transformation and inspiration but also actionable steps for getting on the path to knowing and living your passion and purpose. I am joined by Pavel Stuchlik, a figure of transformation and self-realization. He has shared stages with world leaders like Dave Aspery, Sadhguru, and Vishen Lakhiani bringing a blend of ancient wisdom and contemporary science and t...
Sep 22, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 108
We love a good transformation story here on the pod and Christopher’s does not disappoint. Tune in for an inspiring story of what becomes possible when you get Unblocked. If you’re ready to see what’s possible when you get out of your own way, then this is an episode you won’t want to miss. AND, if you are ready to be the hero or heroine of your transformation story, let’s get *you* Unblocked! Head to jessicasmarro.com to see if my 1:1 coaching program is right for you. Also, if you haven't gott...
Sep 08, 2024•50 min•Ep. 107
Join me for a conversation with award-winning CEO Nate Green as we discuss the secret sauce to accessing the best version of you. Nate is an award-winning CEO, Entrepreneur, Best-Selling Author, and has been on the Inc 5000 list multiple times. Transitioning from a Police Officer to leading a company that was sold for eight figures, he has navigated adventures and hardships with relentless grit. Nate's passion for growth and development is evidenced in his book "Suck Less, Do Better" which summa...
Aug 25, 2024•55 min•Ep. 106
