Join host Dana Skaggs and organizational researcher Craig Mattson as they dive into the pressures of the modern workplace. Using powerful metaphors like "the wave" of digital overwhelm and the "life raft" of coping strategies, they explore why remote work often feels confusing and detached. The conversation tackles the big question: "Should I quit if my job feels meaningless?" Craig reveals the four distinct ways people find purpose—from changing the world to simply surviving the day. Ultimately...
Aug 10, 2025•40 min•Ep. 143
In this episode, Matt O'Neill reveals how to achieve "conscious happiness" even when life feels chaotic. He explains that the common belief of "I'll be happy when..." is a deceptive trap that keeps us constantly striving but never satisfied. Matt reframes negative moods not as personal flaws, but as predictable functions of our "survival brain" that can be overcome. His solution is a set of simple, powerful habits—like gratitude and affirmations—that can be woven into your busiest days without t...
Jul 27, 2025•40 min•Ep. 142
In this episode, Dana Skaggs is joined by neurodiversity advocate Khushboo Chabria, who shares her journey to empowerment after a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis. Khushboo explains why feeling misunderstood isn't a personal failure but often a sign of a workplace culture that lacks true acceptance. She introduces a powerful mindset shift: replacing judgment with "compassionate curiosity." Learn how to stop trying to “fix” yourself, advocate for your unique needs, and find the environment where you c...
Jul 13, 2025•37 min•Ep. 141
In this episode, Dana is joined by coach Arnold Beekes to talk about his journey from a rigid upbringing rooted in extreme conformity to a life of authenticity. Arnold shares how most of us are "conditioned" from a young age, losing sight of what we truly want and living to meet other people’s expectations. He breaks down why comparison is a trap and introduces the “Art of Unconditioning”—a process for taking back your power. Learn how to stop chasing approval, start owning your uniqueness, and ...
Jun 28, 2025•36 min•Ep. 140
In this episode, Brad Chandler shares his journey of overcoming unresolved childhood trauma. Brad reveals how his subconscious belief of "not being enough" led to two divorces, millions in business losses, and struggles with anxiety and addiction. He explains that these negative behaviors were not flaws, but outdated survival mechanisms created by his brain in childhood. His breakthrough came not from traditional therapy, but through memory reconsolidation—a technique that rewrites the faulty ne...
Jun 15, 2025•31 min•Ep. 139
In this episode of Phoenix and Flame , Dana Skaggs welcomes Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier, psychologist, executive coach, and author of The Resilience Plan , to discuss the critical role of mental health and resilience in high-performing professionals. Together, they explore why winging it doesn’t work when it comes to stress, how leaders often overlook their own mental health, and the power of having a personalized, strategic resilience plan. Dr. Pelletier explains how to plan for life’s challenge...
May 31, 2025•38 min•Ep. 138
In this episode of Phoenix and Flame, fitness coach and entrepreneur Petar Krastev shares how he went from arriving in the UK with just 10 Euros in his pocket to building a life grounded in faith, fitness, and entrepreneurship. He opens up about facing homelessness, toxic relationships, and the challenges of supporting a child in his early years—yet still finding the drive to keep moving forward. Petar explains how maintaining a fitness routine gave him strength when everything else was falling ...
May 18, 2025•34 min•Ep. 137
In this episode of Phoenix and Flame, host Dana Skaggs welcomes happiness coach and co-founder of Limitless You, Yvonne Trost. Together, they explore the powerful journey of personal transformation. Yvonne shares her own inspiring story of overcoming significant life challenges including a devastating apartment fire, a difficult marriage, and a career change before learning to be herself again. She introduces a transformative three-step framework, emphasizing the crucial role of self-compassion ...
May 04, 2025•39 min•Ep. 136
Victoria Pelletier is a highly accomplished corporate executive, board director, and author known as the "Turnaround Queen." She shares her remarkable journey of resilience, rising from a challenging childhood to achieving executive leadership roles by the age of 24 through sheer grit and determination. Along the way, she faced obstacles such as imposter syndrome and navigating bias as a queer woman in corporate environments. Victoria emphasizes the importance of DEI in the workplace and highlig...
Apr 19, 2025•37 min•Ep. 135
Robert Hunt, also known as “The Accountability Guy,” is the co-author of Nobody Cares Until You Do. In this episode, Robert opens up about his journey—how he dug himself out of deep debt and a victim mindset by leaning into personal accountability. He breaks down the difference between just being responsible and actually owning your actions and outcomes. Along the way, he calls out some common traps we all fall into like blaming others, making excuses, saying “I can’t,” or just waiting around fo...
Apr 06, 2025•33 min•Ep. 134
Winnie Rodgers, a real estate expert and marketing strategist, shares her journey of transformation and resilience. She discusses the importance of listening to one's intuition, navigating personal and professional boundaries, and empowering women in sales and entrepreneurship. Winnie shares her experiences in the real estate industry, the challenges of maintaining authenticity, and the significance of morning rituals for grounding oneself. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-discovery...
Mar 09, 2025•40 min•Ep. 133
In this enlightening conversation, Mette Reebirk, an author and executive coach, shares her journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship. Mette emphasizes the importance of questioning our thoughts and narratives, understanding the connection between thoughts and emotions, and the power of self-reflection. She discusses the impact of leadership on personal well-being, the necessity of empathy in relationships, and the challenges of embracing diversity. Mette advocates for mindfulness an...
Feb 23, 2025•36 min•Ep. 131
In this solo episode, Dana Skaggs explores the complexities of setting and defending personal boundaries. She discusses the importance of understanding one's own emotional landscape, the fear of rejection, and the impact of past wounds on current behavior. Dana emphasizes the need for self-awareness and the role of support systems in navigating these challenges. Dana's Linked In Page Dana's website...
Feb 22, 2025•24 min•Ep. 132
Marni Battista, an entrepreneur, author, and transformational coach, shares her journey of rebuilding her life and finding meaning after experiencing hardships. She emphasizes the importance of creating a life that aligns with one's values and desires. Marni also discusses the challenges of dating and the need for self-love and self-worth in the dating process. She provides insights on overcoming comparison despair and finding clarity in one's financial situation. Marni's approach focuses on inn...
Feb 09, 2025•35 min•Ep. 130
H. Jackson Calame, a visionary entrepreneur, shares his journey of overcoming challenges and setting boundaries to pursue his passion. He discusses the importance of finding purpose and belonging, as well as the power of saying no. Jackson emphasizes the need to treat others with respect and care, especially in the business world. He also highlights the value of perseverance and transformation in the face of adversity. Jackson Calame discusses the challenges and doubts that entrepreneurs face on...
Jan 26, 2025•43 min•Ep. 129
Sarah Jantausch shares her journey of being a high-performing perfectionist and experiencing burnout. She started her career in government and quickly climbed the ladder, always thinking the next promotion would make her happy. However, she realized that she was designing her entire life and career around the value of achievement, which led to burnout. Sarah emphasizes the importance of values alignment and how feeling stressed, burned out, or stuck can be signs of a mismatch. She suggests ident...
Jan 12, 2025•34 min•Ep. 128
Amita Sharma, co-founder of NourishDoc, shares her personal struggles as a perimenopausal woman in the corporate world and how she is using her experience to help other women. She discusses the lack of awareness and support for women going through perimenopause in the workplace and the need for a holistic approach to wellness. Amita emphasizes the importance of dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, movement, and mental health in managing perimenopausal symptoms. She also highlights the need ...
Dec 30, 2024•31 min•Ep. 127
Susan Winchester, former chief HR officer, discusses how the workplace can be a laboratory for emotional healing and personal growth. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing how our childhood experiences shape our behavior and relationships in the workplace. Susan shares her own journey of healing and provides practical strategies for managing workplace conflict and setting boundaries. She introduces the concept of 'bumper car moments' as opportunities for growth and transformation. Susan's...
Dec 15, 2024•37 min•Ep. 126
Carolyn Swora, a leadership consultant and certified "Dare to Lead" facilitator, shares her journey into trauma-informed leadership. She discusses the importance of understanding the nervous system and how it impacts our ability to be vulnerable and present in the workplace. Carolyn emphasizes the need to recognize and address emotional wounds and develop a compassionate relationship with our bodies. She encourages listeners to tune into their bodies and listen to the cues and sensations that in...
Dec 02, 2024•40 min•Ep. 125
Dr. Stephan Neff, a doctor and former patient, shares his personal experiences with trauma, addiction, and mental health. He emphasizes the importance of addressing past traumas and core beliefs that to addictive behaviors. Dr. Neff discusses the role of substances as coping mechanisms and the need to find healthier ways to deal with emotions. He highlights the power of fear inoculation and the ability to come back stronger after facing and processing fear. Dr. Neff provides resources for listen...
Nov 17, 2024•40 min•Ep. 124
Kim Mosiman, a nutritionist and author, shares her journey of reclaiming her health and discusses the importance of self-love and body responsibility. She emphasizes the need to prioritize our health and make intentional choices, even in the midst of a busy life. Kim encourages women to let go of expectations and focus on becoming who they want to be in their second act. She also highlights the significance of communication and setting boundaries in relationships. Overall, Kim's message promotes...
Nov 04, 2024•38 min•Ep. 123
Shelly Starks, CEO of Inline Consulting Services, shares her journey of personal and professional growth, emphasizing the importance of understanding behavioral styles and setting boundaries. She discusses the challenges she faced, including a difficult divorce, her daughter's medical issues, and her own health struggles. Shelly highlights the significance of embracing the journey, facing and feeling the pain, and using it as a tool for personal transformation. Shelly's website...
Oct 27, 2024•37 min•Ep. 122
JJ Flizanes is an empowerment strategist who helps people remove emotional blocks to success and create a personalized roadmap to emotional healing. She believes in activating new parts of the brain and opening up both the emotional and logical sides to create balance and empowerment. JJ emphasizes the importance of moving away from victim mentality and taking responsibility for one's own healing and growth. JJ's Feelings list JJ's book JJ's book...
Oct 13, 2024•42 min•Ep. 121
Emanuel Rose, a seasoned marketing expert, shares his journey from personal struggles to professional success, emphasizing the importance of mental well-being and nature in his life. He provides practical tips for setting boundaries and accessing creativity, highlighting the impact of digital culture on mental health. Emanuel's website
Oct 01, 2024•34 min•Ep. 120
Seth Gehle shares his story of surviving childhood trauma, including abuse and molestation. He discusses the impact of his mother's addiction and abusive behavior, as well as the grooming and abuse he experienced from a man he trusted. Seth bravely reported his abuser, leading to his arrest and conviction. He highlights the importance of sharing stories and seeking healing, and emphasizes that everyone's story is valid and deserving of attention. Seth is now a combat veteran, author, and motivat...
Sep 22, 2024•41 min•Ep. 119
Jill Sitnick, an award-winning strategic thinker and educator, shares her journey of healing childhood trauma-induced PTSD with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. She discusses her experiences growing up in an abusive and unstable environment, the isolation and impending doom she felt as a result of her trauma, and the physical manifestations of trauma in the body. https://thejourneysage.com
Sep 09, 2024•40 min•Ep. 118
Darlene Greene shares her experience of caring for her husband with early Alzheimer's disease. Darlene discusses her previous relationships with narcissists and the impact it had on her health. She also talks about her husband's decline and the various treatments they tried. Darlene then introduces a technology that activated her own stem cells and improved her health. The conversation addresses skepticism and explains why the technology is not widely known. In this conversation, Darlene Greene ...
Aug 25, 2024•46 min•Ep. 117
Andrea Johnson, an executive and founder empowerment coach, shares her journey of overcoming obesity, bulimia, and depression through gastric bypass surgery and personal growth. She emphasizes the importance of understanding oneself and developing a strong sense of identity and purpose. Andrea also discusses the significance of cultural diversity and the need for acceptance and understanding in relationships. She introduces her concept of intentional optimism, which involves embodying attitudes ...
Aug 11, 2024•41 min•Ep. 116
Julie Rose, a radio journalist and host of the podcast Top of Mind, shares her journey of news avoidance and the need for bridging divides in public discourse. She discusses the challenges of engaging in conversations without them turning negative and explores the power of curiosity in fostering productive discussions. Julie emphasizes the importance of deepening relationships and learning from others, rather than focusing on winning arguments or correcting misinformation. She provides tips for ...
Jul 28, 2024•46 min•Ep. 115
Have you been exploited or taken advantage of so many times you don't know where you stop and someone else begins? Listen to Birgitta Visser's eclectic life journey and how she was finally able to step into her power and set boundaries. https://www.powersoulhealing.com https://a.co/d/9M7MGP5
Jul 14, 2024•38 min•Ep. 114
