📝 Episode Summary: In this heartfelt episode, Cheri unpacks the sneaky habit of putting everyone else first—even strangers—and what it really means when we constantly flake on ourselves. She calls it Southern Hospitality Syndrome: a charming but toxic blend of kindness and chronic self-abandonment. With her signature warmth and wit, Cheri shares personal stories, including a hilarious tale of 20 years of polite miscommunication, and offers real-world tips on how to finally treat yourself like s...
Jul 02, 2025•29 min•Ep. 144
✨ Episode Summary: In this soulful and spirited episode, Cheri explores the powerful pull of desire—how our deepest wants keep whispering to us, no matter how long we've ignored them. Through candid storytelling, humor, and a heartfelt guided meditation, she helps you reconnect with your inner truth and reminds you that joy is a spiritual directive. Whether it’s a creative spark, a childhood dream, or a mysterious calling, your desires aren’t random—they’re sacred. Plus, there’s a writing prompt...
Jun 18, 2025•29 min•Ep. 142
🪷 Episode Summary: In this classic replay, Cheri Flake brings us back to basics with heartfelt humor and soulful honesty. Through personal stories, down-to-earth wisdom, and a warm shout-out to Louise Hay and Davidji, Cheri shares how to truly begin a daily meditation practice—without overcomplicating it. Whether you're a binge meditator, a meditation dropout, or totally new to the cushion, this episode is your permission slip to just start—three minutes at a time. Bonus: includes a calming bre...
Jun 11, 2025•29 min•Ep. 141
In this heartfelt episode, Cheri Flake dives into one of the most transformative (and tricky!) mindset shifts of all: thinking like the version of you that you want to become. With wit, warmth, and wisdom from decades of therapy work, she unpacks why we’re not our thoughts—and how to separate from them using meditation, mindfulness, and sneaky brain hacks. This episode includes a powerful guided mantra meditation using Ham Sa (“I am That”), and even features an original song, “Joy,” by her band ...
Jun 03, 2025•28 min•Ep. 140
📝 Episode Summary:In this powerful and intimate episode, the Stress Therapist, Cheri Flake, shares the deeply personal story of her husband's journey through a life-threatening cancer diagnosis and how his established meditation practice became a cornerstone of his remarkable healing. Blending humor, raw honesty, and guided insight, Cheri urges listeners to adopt a consistent meditation practice before crisis hits. This episode underscores the vital role of stillness, the importance of preparat...
May 21, 2025•29 min•Ep. 139
🎙️Easily Offended? Let’s Talk About That🌼 Feeling constantly triggered by the world around you? In this real-talk episode, Cheri Flake shares why being easily offended can quietly poison your happiness—and how shifting your mindset can bring huge freedom. Through hilarious and heartfelt examples (spiders, comedy shows, awkward jokes—oh my!), she unpacks how humor, forgiveness, and self-love are the ultimate stress busters. Plus, she leads a loving-kindness meditation to help you soften toward ...
May 06, 2025•29 min•Ep. 138
Stress Therapy Episode 9The Help You Give by Asking3/20/25In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode, Cheri Flake explores the often-overlooked power of asking for help. Through her own life experiences—especially during her husband's cancer battle—she reveals how seeking support not only uplifts the person in need but also benefits the helper. Blending psychology, spirituality, and humor, she breaks down the stigma around asking for help and encourages listeners to embrace their human need f...
Apr 09, 2025•30 min•Ep. 137
In this heartfelt and humor-filled episode, The Stress Therapist dives deep into the concept of living as your authentic self. Through personal stories, client examples, and some unexpected Bachelor commentary, she explores what it really means to be yourself, why it matters for your happiness and connection with others, and how being fake can actually block you from true love and belonging. The episode closes with a meditation on the sacred sound Om, guiding listeners into stillness and self-ac...
Mar 26, 2025•26 min
The episode explores the paradox of meaning—how nothing ultimately matters in the grand scheme, yet everything matters on a personal level. The host encourages listeners to embrace life by focusing on what truly brings them joy, rather than external expectations. Through anecdotes, personal reflection, and meditation, the episode urges self-discovery, authenticity, and living life for oneself rather than for validation from others. ~Your Life’s Meaning Comes from Within – The things that truly m...
Mar 12, 2025•24 min•Ep. 135
In this episode, the Stress Therapist explores the importance of focusing on our inner well-being as much as our outer appearance. The episode highlights how our egos often prioritize external traits, but true fulfillment and peace come from cultivating a healthy inner self. The discussion also touches on the benefits of practices like yoga and meditation in promoting both inner and outer wellness. ~Inner vs. Outer Work: The importance of balancing efforts to improve external appearance with nur...
Feb 26, 2025•31 min•Ep. 134
In this episode, Cheri Flake, the Stress Therapist, conducts an interview with an experienced guest, Sigmar Berg who designed and invented a tool called “The Lovetuner”. He talks about his upbringing, how he came about the magical frequency that the little flute creates, and how it can positively affect you and your life. Cheri also emphasizes how meditation can coincide with The Lovetuner. Get yours HERE: https://lddy.no/1kucg and use the code CHERI for an extra 5% off! In this episode we will:...
Feb 11, 2025•38 min•Ep. 133
In this episode, Cheri Flake, the Stress Therapist, explores the challenges of living in an information-driven world. She discusses how overwhelming constant access to knowledge can be, especially in the age of social media and AI. Cheri reflects on her personal journey with technology, offering insights on how to protect our mental health by being mindful of the information we consume and the perspectives we choose to adopt. In this episode we will: ~Understand the Impact of Information Overloa...
Jan 28, 2025•28 min•Ep. 132
In this episode of Stress Therapy, host Cheri Flake introduces a simple yet transformative concept inspired by Bill O’Hanlon’s book Do One Thing Different. She explains how making small changes in daily routines can improve brain flexibility, reduce stress, and foster personal growth. Cheri guides listeners through a calming breathwork practice, offering a practical tool to cultivate inner peace and mindfulness. In this episode we will cover: ~How small changes in routine can enhance neuroplasti...
Jan 16, 2025•20 min•Ep. 131
This episode explores strategies for setting realistic and meaningful New Year's resolutions. It emphasizes the importance of mindset shifts, intentional goal-setting, and practical tools to maintain motivation. The discussion includes guided meditation techniques to reduce stress and improve focus, helping listeners reset their mindset for success in 2024. In this episode we will: ~Mindset Matters – Cultivating a positive and growth-focused mindset is the foundation for achieving long-term goal...
Dec 31, 2024•30 min•Ep. 130
In this special Christmas replay episode of The Stress Therapist, host Cheri Flake celebrates the holiday season by exploring the power of loving-kindness and connection. Through a calming guided meditation, Cheri invites listeners to reflect on shared humanity, embrace the present moment, and spread love and peace to themselves and others. The episode also highlights the importance of self-care and setting meaningful goals for the new year, all while using soothing music from Sonic Yogi to enha...
Dec 18, 2024•32 min•Ep. 129
In this episode of The Stress Therapist, host Cheri Flake explores the powerful connection between our physical spaces and mental well-being. She reflects on how decluttering and creating joyful, intentional environments can uplift our mood and simplify emotional challenges. Through personal anecdotes, literary inspiration, and a guided meditation, Cheri shares practical ways to make your surroundings a sanctuary for peace and focus. In this episode we will: ~Your Space Reflects Your Mind A clut...
Dec 04, 2024•28 min•Ep. 128
In this episode we will: ~ Learn how practicing gratitude can shift your mindset and help you cope with stress during difficult times. ~ Discover simple, practical ways to incorporate gratitude into your daily routine, even when it feels challenging. ~ A guided gratitude meditation focusing on reflecting on small, everyday moments that bring joy and peace. Meditation Music byhttp://sonicyogi.com https://open.spotify.com/track/7lpLx4vtoQusvoqidRY6vN?si=0db8efd9082c40ebhttps://open.spotify.com/tra...
Nov 19, 2024•26 min•Ep. 127
A mindset reset can be just the thing to get you back on track and feeling good. But where to start? How does it help and how can you get in the right mind space? Let's work on it, right now! In this episode we will: ~Explore the Power of Positive Self-Talk – Discover how shifting your language and avoiding negative self-talk can create a mindset that supports growth, wellness, and resilience. ~Learn Simple Steps for Lasting Change – Understand how taking things one day at a time and making smal...
Nov 06, 2024•28 min•Ep. 126
There is so much we can do to make our lives better, but I think meditation is the one thing we can do to make SO many things in our lives SO much better and so very quickly! So many people I talk to tell me that they want to meditate and they want those juicy benefits, but they just don't know where to start. If this is you, this one is for you! In this episode, we will: ~ Learn why showing up needs to be the focus at first when starting a meditation practice. ~ Learn exactly what to do when yo...
Oct 23, 2024•28 min•Ep. 124
In this episode of Stress Therapy, Cheri Flake, The Stress Therapist, reveals the surprising secret to making others change – it all starts with you! Learn why your actions, even the smallest ones, can profoundly impact others. From navigating family chores to fostering deeper relationships, Cheri shares her personal experiences and professional insights on how changing yourself can lead to meaningful shifts in those around you. Get ready for a quick but powerful session that will leave you insp...
Oct 08, 2024•29 min•Ep. 122
Episode: Mindfulness vs Meditation – What's the Difference?Everybody's talking about mindfulness, but what does it really mean? In today’s episode, we’ll break it down and learn how mindfulness and meditation can help you be more present in your daily life. Plus, we’ll practice a calming meditation together.In this episode, we will:~ Understand the difference between mindfulness and meditation ~ Discover how to be fully present in your daily life ~ Practice mindfulness techniques that can bring ...
Sep 17, 2024•26 min•Ep. 122
Everybody wants to know how to make a habit stick. Let’s learn the one trick you need to know if you want to be an expert at getting healthy habits that you want in your life right now and forever. In this episode we will: ~ Learn the one thing that makes a habit stick without a doubt! ~ Understand why healthy habits, even ones you love, fall away and are hard to get back! ~ Meditate together Meditation Music by Sonic Yogi Deep Sleep With Singing Bowls Pythagorean Dream Listen to Sonic Yogi on: ...
Sep 03, 2024•21 min•Ep. 121
When you are completely overwhelmed and super stressed out what can you do in that very moment to turn things around? Let's look at some stress tips that help fast and actually work. I learned these techniques from an expert in this field who just happens to be my best friend Ann DuPre Rogers, LCSW. Ann DuPre is the Director at Resources for Resilience in Asheville, North Carolina. Her organization teaches people all over the world, how to build resistance, reset their nervous systems and unders...
Aug 20, 2024•17 min•Ep. 120
I spend a lot of time teaching people not only how to meditate, but how to make meditation habitual. One of the questions that always comes up is whether or not meditating in bed, or "beditation" is a good idea or not. Because if meditating in your bed helps then we should all be doing it, right? Let's examine this together and figure out how to make meditation something you do every single day without stress, procrastination, or excuses! In this episode we will: ~Learn what “beditation” is and ...
Aug 08, 2024•25 min•Ep. 119
Maybe the reason our mood is down because our thoughts are so judgy! How can we be in the moment that we’re in and move toward some equanimity? Probably with teachings from the Buddha! Today we are going to pay close attention to our thoughts and how we might be sabotaging our happiness with judgement all the time. Then we will learn a Buddhist meditation practice together. In this episode we will: ~Learn how judgements bring negativity. ~Vipassana Meditation Meditation Music by Sonic Yogi Deep ...
Jul 23, 2024•19 min•Ep. 118
It is SO hot! All that heat can make you extra cranky and stressed out. Let’s learn a cooling breath and meditation to beat the heat and get calm, cool and collected. In this episode we will: ~Learn how ~Sitali Breath/Meditation Meditation Music by Sonic Yogi Deep Sleep With Singing Bowls Pythagorean Dream Listen to Sonic Yogi on: Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music Watch Sonic Yogi’s Ted Talk Interesting Mentions: Heartwood Retreat Center : location for Cheri’s Georgia Mountain Retreats Jekyll Isl...
Jul 10, 2024•11 min•Ep. 117
Meditation helps with stress 100% of the time. This is mostly why everybody seems to be talking about meditation…Quite a lot. But how many people do you know they're actually doing it? Every single day? If meditation was a pill it would be a trillion dollar business! The health benefits of meditation are astounding, but only if you are actually meditating regularly and still we just can't seem to get it into our lives daily. Meditation is about as good for you as water, people! So why aren't we ...
Jun 25, 2024•29 min•Ep. 118
This is a classic Stress Therapy Episode when the show was called, Meditation WTF? Ha! In a rare occurrence of actually having a guest on the show, we have the most AMAZING guest ever, davidji! Yes! An actual superstar on today! davidji is an internationally recognized stressed expert, corporate trainer, Meditation master, a recording artist and an award-winning author of The Secrets of Meditation, Destressifying (my favorite one) and Sacred Powers.He's learned these profound secrets of awakenin...
Jun 12, 2024•46 min•Ep. 115
I have been using the same example for my clients to illustrate why the woo is true for YEARS and finally, in this episode I was put in the very scenario to test out all the woo! Many therapists stay away from woo altogether and I get it, but after all this time, I am using it as a resource for my clients. Why? Because I truly believe that the woo woo is actually true true and today, I will show you how to get it into your life so your life is way better. In this episode we will: ~All about how ...
May 30, 2024•55 min•Ep. 100
Who’s happy? Really happy? How??? We are so obsessed with happiness but how can we be happy with all these people around that we disagree with or don’t even like! What about what’s happening in the world? How can we be happy with all that going on???? How can we make everyone understand how we feel or what we’ve been through? Wayne Dyer said, “There is no way to happiness, happiness IS the way.” What does this mean and how can we make this work for us so we can finally be happy? We’ll find out o...
May 14, 2024•33 min•Ep. 113