What do you do when your partner says, “I have tumors in my lungs and spine”? We don’t get instructions for that kind of moment. And we definitely don’t get told what it means to carry someone you love through the hardest, slowest, most beautiful goodbye. In this episode, I talk with Tony Stewart —writer, partner, caregiver—about what shifted the day his wife, Lynn, was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and what he learned as they walked through the next six years together. This conversation isn’t...
Jun 24, 2025•51 min•Season 4Ep. 188
From walking out of school to creating art worldwide, Danny Suede chose his own way forward. What if the life you want is just past the fear? So many of us stay stuck because the obstacles are loud and obvious — the job, the money, the expectations. But the route to the life we dream about? That path is quiet. Subtle. Hidden. In this episode, I talk with artist and creative nomad Danny Suede about the bold decision he made as a teenager that changed everything, and how that one moment opened the...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 187
There are days when holding it all together just isn’t possible. And despite what we’ve been taught – to push through, to stay strong, to keep showing up – sometimes the bravest thing we can do is let ourselves break. If you're carrying grief, burnout, or just too much of everything, this short reflection is your reminder that falling apart doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human. You don’t have to be the strong one all the time. You don’t have to keep it all together today. You’re allowed to ...
Jun 11, 2025•3 min
What if your superpower was secretly destroying your life? Ian Fee spent decades thinking alcohol was his key to connection – his edge in business and relationships. He built a successful career, a massive network, and a party-filled life that looked like everything was working. But beneath the surface, he was numb, disconnected, and silently unraveling. Everything changed on the third day of rehab, when a moment of clarity hit: if he wasn't right with himself, nothing else would ever be right. ...
Jun 10, 2025•47 min•Season 4Ep. 186
This bonus episode brings back Elizabeth Rosenberg, a past guest on The Life Shift, to reflect on her journey since we last chatted. She shares how her perspective has evolved over the months, particularly regarding vulnerability and sharing personal stories. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of leaning into our truths and how doing so can lead to unexpected growth and healing. It’s fascinating to hear how her experiences have shaped not just her personal life but also her professional endeavo...
Jun 08, 2025•36 min
We live in a world that celebrates hustle – where being busy is often mistaken for being worthy. But what happens when your body, your mind, or your spirit asks you to slow down? If your energy isn’t what it used to be, or if your to-do list feels more like pressure than purpose, that’s not failure. It’s feedback. This short reflection is a gentle reminder that rest counts. Presence counts. You don’t have to produce to prove your value. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is stop and breathe...
Jun 04, 2025•2 min
What if the moment you learned who you really are changed everything? Leyla King grew up in a vibrant family surrounded by food, faith, and love, but she did not have the language or clarity to name her Palestinian identity. In this episode, Leyla shares how a high school film screening shifted everything, leading her to reclaim her heritage, record her grandmother’s stories, and write Daughters of Palestine: A Memoir in Five Generations. This conversation explores the power of generational stor...
Jun 03, 2025•56 min•Season 4Ep. 185
Chantal Watts joins me again to dive into what’s changed since her first appearance on The Life Shift podcast. We get real about the impact of sharing her story, especially how it resonated with her former teacher and classmates. Chantal reflects on the healing power of being open about her past and how it helped her connect with those who once knew her. It's all about the significance of vulnerability and how our stories can touch others, creating community and support. This bonus episode is a ...
Jun 01, 2025•26 min
Healing isn’t linear. Just when you think you’ve moved on – from heartbreak, betrayal, or someone who broke your trust – something small can bring it all back. A song, a post, a memory. And suddenly you're asking yourself, “Why does this still hurt?” That doesn't mean you’re broken. It means you cared. It means you trusted. And it hurt. This short reflection reminds us that healing has no perfect timeline. Even if it’s been months or years, it’s okay if the sting still shows up. It doesn’t mean ...
May 28, 2025•2 min
What happens when your child whispers, “It hurts everywhere, Mama”? When the unthinkable becomes your reality, how do you show up — not just for your child, but for yourself? Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree shares the moment her world split in two with her daughter’s cancer diagnosis, and the extraordinary path it put her on. Here’s what Laura’s story reveals: • How trusting her intuition led to a life-saving diagnosis and years of fierce advocacy • The power of creating a new “normal” when the old one ...
May 27, 2025•53 min•Season 4Ep. 184
Sometimes, the life you built no longer fits who you are becoming. The old habits, the roles you played, the way you showed up in the world – it might feel familiar, but also a little tight, a little scratchy, like a favorite sweatshirt that doesn't quite belong to you anymore. That’s not failure. That’s growth. This short reflection explores what it means to feel the tension between who you were and who you're becoming. It's a quiet invitation to honor your past self – the version of you that g...
May 21, 2025•2 min
Starting over is never easy. Whether you're in a new job, a new city, a new relationship, or simply facing a new season of life, there's a part of us that resists feeling new. It whispers things like, "I should have figured this out by now," or "I shouldn't feel this lost." But feeling like a beginner isn't failure – it's growth in disguise. This short reflection offers a gentle reminder that the discomfort of starting over is also an invitation: "You’re not behind – you’re becoming." If you're ...
May 21, 2025•2 min
Grief doesn’t follow neat timelines – and it doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you if it still shows up years later. Whether it’s been a decade or just a season, grief can return in a song, a memory, a smell, or even a YouTube clip that catches you off guard. That ache isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of what mattered. In this short reflection, we explore why grief that lingers is part of love that lasts. You’ll hear a gentle reminder that: “Grief isn’t a problem to solve. It’s part of a ...
May 21, 2025•3 min
What happens when your body tells you the truth before your mind is ready to hear it? Andrew Lang had built a life around doing the most. He was a teacher, a union rep, and a quiet emotional anchor for everyone around him. But underneath it all, exhaustion was building until one night, his body gave out, and that unexpected breaking point became the beginning of something new. Here’s what you’ll take away from Andrew’s story: Letting go of the need to fix everything can create space for clarity ...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 183
I’m excited to share something new. It’s Okay If… is a short-form podcast I created as part of my own healing journey — a space for bite-sized permission slips to feel what you feel and be exactly where you are. Each episode is under 3 minutes, and a new one drops every Wednesday at noon. In this short intro, I’ll share why I made this show, what you can expect, and how you can listen. 🎧 First 3 episodes release on Wednesday, May 21 Follow It’s Okay If… on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever y...
May 19, 2025•2 min
Alex Knight joins me again to share how his life has shifted since we last chatted on The Life Shift. We kick things off by revisiting the pivotal moments that shaped his relationship with music and how those experiences continue to influence his life decisions. Alex shares that music has been a constant anchor, helping him navigate expectations and societal pressures. Since our last episode, he’s become more aware of how music plays a role in his happiness and creativity, emphasizing the import...
May 18, 2025•27 min
What if you woke up one day unable to speak, move, or even swallow? Vanessa Abraham, a thriving speech pathologist and mother, was plunged into a life-threatening health crisis that left her trapped in her own body. With no clear diagnosis and a long road ahead, she found herself on the other side of the hospital bed, experiencing everything she once treated. In this episode, Vanessa shares how she reclaimed her voice, fought for her life, and redefined her identity in the aftermath. You’ll hear...
May 13, 2025•55 min•Season 4Ep. 182
In this special solo episode of The Life Shift Podcast , I step away from interviews to reflect on the three people who shaped me most—my mother, my grandmother, and my father. Mother’s Day has always felt complicated, layered with grief, gratitude, and unexpected resilience. I share how losing my mom at eight changed everything, how my grandmother stepped in and became my safe place, and how my father quietly carried the weight of it all while helping me find my way forward. This episode is a t...
May 11, 2025•12 min
Marty Klein returns for a bonus episode where we dive into his journey since his original appearance on The Life Shift Podcast. The main takeaway from our chat is how sharing his story about losing his mom at a young age has impacted him and helped him reflect on the deeper shifts it created in his life. We discuss the nuances of dealing with grief, the importance of talking about it openly, and how sharing experiences can lead to unexpected connections with others. Marty shares how he initially...
May 11, 2025•28 min
Have you ever felt trapped by the need for certainty in your life? Allison Carmen, a spiritual teacher, author, and podcaster, shares her journey from being addicted to certainty to embracing the power of "maybe." Allison takes us through her early years, where anxiety and worry dominated her life. She recounts the pivotal moment when a simple Daoist story about a farmer and his horse opened her eyes to a new way of thinking that would change her life forever. From Certainty Addiction to Embraci...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 181
Becca Berkey is back to chat about her journey since her appearance on The Life Shift. We dive right into the heart of the conversation, exploring how her experiences have shaped her perspective on vulnerability and connection. Becca reflects on a pivotal moment from her childhood that introduced her to the concept of shame, and we discuss how those early experiences can influence our adult lives. There’s a lot to unpack about how sharing our stories can foster deeper connections and understandi...
May 04, 2025•30 min
Have you ever wondered what life could be like without alcohol? Emily Holland, a podcast consultant and community manager, shares her journey of overcoming addictions and rediscovering herself through a life of sobriety and self-worth. Emily takes us through her early years, where alcohol became a constant companion from the tender age of 13. She recounts the pivotal moment on a ski slope that sparked a realization that would change the course of her life forever. From Numbing to Feeling: Embrac...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 180
Rachel Fiorello returns to The Life Shift Podcast to share her journey since her first appearance, where she opened up about the profound loss of her husband, Matt. This conversation digs into how sharing her story has helped her navigate grief, allowing her to honor Matt while creating new memories with their daughters. Rachel reflects on the cathartic nature of storytelling and the importance of maintaining connections to loved ones, even after they are gone. We explore the challenges she face...
Apr 27, 2025•28 min
This episode of the Life Shift podcast features a powerful exploration of the moments right before significant life changes and the words of encouragement that could have made a difference. My guests reflect on their past selves, offering heartfelt advice and insights drawn from their personal experiences. Each speaker shares unique perspectives, from affirming their worthiness to emphasizing the importance of trusting the process, even when everything feels out of control. You'll hear Kyle V. R...
Apr 25, 2025•5 min
Have you ever felt trapped in a relationship that was slowly draining your spirit? In this episode of the Life Shift podcast, I sit down with Jenn Todling, a former corporate executive turned author and coach, who shares her courageous journey of escaping a toxic marriage and rediscovering herself. Jenn takes us through her early years as a young bride, navigating the complexities of caring for a chronically ill spouse while trying to maintain a demanding career. She recounts the pivotal moment ...
Apr 22, 2025•55 min•Season 4Ep. 179
This bonus episode dives back into a conversation with Olivia Howell, who reflects on her journey since sharing their pivotal moment on The Life Shift. We kick things off by discussing how a toxic relationship culminated in a life-altering decision, showcasing the raw reality that sometimes, it’s the smallest moments that lead to the biggest changes. Olivia emphasizes the importance of sharing these experiences, not just for personal healing, but to resonate with others who might be navigating s...
Apr 20, 2025•29 min
Have you ever felt trapped by the weight of someone else's addiction? In this episode of the Life Shift podcast, I sit down with Carol Look, a psychotherapist and EFT coach, who shares her journey of finding happiness and purpose despite growing up in a family plagued by alcoholism. Carol takes us through her early years, where she excelled academically and athletically while constantly living on edge, waiting for the next relapse of her parents' addiction. She recounts the pivotal moment during...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 178
We’re diving into some bonus episodes today, featuring chats with past guests from the Life Shift podcast. This time around, we're catching up with Adrienne, who shared her powerful story about overcoming PTSD using unconventional methods. The Life Shift Rewind I’m excited to share bonus episodes from Patreon, where I revisited past guests to discuss what has changed and the value of sharing their stories. Since I currently only have the lower tiers available, I wanted to make these conversation...
Apr 13, 2025•24 min
Have you ever wondered how someone can overcome addiction and time in prison and still find fulfillment in life? In this episode of the Life Shift podcast, I sit down with Sean Martin, a once-incarcerated individual turned successful entrepreneur and mentor who shares his remarkable journey of transformation and self-discovery. Sean takes us through his early years growing up in New York City's Parkside Projects, where he witnessed the devastating effects of the crack cocaine epidemic. Despite t...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 177
Randy Redd joins me for a bonus episode. We chat about how leaving the bustling life of New York City in search of a more fulfilling existence in Memphis was a pivotal moment for him. The Life Shift Rewind I’m excited to share bonus episodes from Patreon, where I revisited past guests to discuss what has changed and the value of sharing their stories. Since I currently only have the lower tiers available, I wanted to make these conversations accessible to the public feed. If you'd like to suppor...
Apr 07, 2025•34 min
