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Welcome to Episode 200, our first ever live episode! We’re celebrating a huge milestone, giving major shout-outs, reflecting on what this podcast has meant so far, and sharing what’s next for the journey of Be Freaking Awesome.

What’s Inside This Episode

• Live recorded energy and community vibe: This is our first time doing a live broadcast, complete with real-time chats, emojis, and surprise guest drop-ins. We love you all for being here.
• Reflections on success: What does success really mean for a podcast, a business, or your life? We talk about how we define success (spoiler: it’s not just numbers) and why sharing value and joy matters.
• Behind-the-scenes gratitude: A huge shout-out to everyone who helps make this podcast possible, from our technical crew to our editing team and our listeners. You keep this bus rolling.
• Guest catch-ups: We brought on past guests, including DonJay Rice, Gary Ware, and Josh (our original host), to hear what they’re up to now and ask, "What are you doing these days that’s freaking awesome?"
• Live messages and advice on being “freaking awesome”: Real-life wisdom from our guests, from rediscovering childhood passions (like magic) to embracing authenticity and knowing it's never too late to reboot your path.
• Major announcement: Be Freaking Awesome is becoming its own standalone brand. We’re leveling up with more coaching, training, speaking, and maybe even books.
• Looking ahead: We asked each other (and our listeners) to record a “time capsule” message to our future selves. What do we want to thank ourselves for one year from now, when we hit five years?

Why This One Matters

Episode 200 isn’t just a milestone. It’s a marker of growth, gratitude, and intention. It reminds us (and you) that doing the work, showing up, and staying true to yourself matters. It shows a podcast evolving from a side project into a mission-driven brand.

Key Takeaways

• Success isn’t just a number. Sometimes it’s a message sent, a life changed, a mindset shifted.
• It’s OK to show up messy, imperfect, and human. That’s where connection happens.
• You don’t have to monetize everything. Sometimes the thing that brings you joy is worth doing just because.
• It’s never too late to change course, try something new, or rediscover something old.
• Community, consistency, and authenticity are where real impact lives.

Want More?

If you enjoyed this live celebration, consider:

• Revisiting some of our favorite episodes (like Episode 64 on taming the inner critic)
• Signing up for our email list to stay in the loop on what’s next for the BFA brand
• Sending us a “time capsule” voice note of your own—what you want to thank your future self for a year from now: bfreakingawesome.com/message

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Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at [email protected].

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In this powerful and personal episode, Angela and Sami sit down with speaker, leadership trainer, and PhD researcher Summer Jelinek to talk about what it really means to be neurodivergent in the workplace.

From masking and burnout to emotional intelligence and late diagnoses, we explore how modern work culture often fails to support neurodivergent thinkers and what we can do about it. Summer shares her journey of being diagnosed with autism later in life and how that led her to research how neurodivergent women lead, mask, and navigate professional spaces differently.

Sami and Angela get honest about parenting, people-pleasing, crying in the office, and learning to feel your feels without shame. Whether you're neurodivergent yourself, love someone who is, or just want to create a more human-centered workplace, this episode will open your eyes and soften your heart.

In This Episode

- What “neurodivergent” really means and why it's more than just ADHD or autism
- How masking impacts performance, connection, and burnout
- Why neurodivergent women often go undiagnosed for decades
- The emotional labor of “being professional” at work
- How leaders can support team members who think differently
- Why curiosity beats judgment every time

If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a friend, a teammate, or your boss. Conversations like these are how we make change.

Resources and Mentions
- Get the first 3 chapters of Summer’s book: unlockingthemagicofleadership.com/myf
- Connect with Summer Jelinek:
- Website: summerjelinek.com
- LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram: @SummerJelinek

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🎙️ EP198: Mac & Cheese and Mom Guilt: Let’s Talk About It

You know that feeling when you're serving up mac & cheese for dinner (again) and thinking, "Am I totally dropping the ball as a parent?" That creeping sense of mom guilt shows up in the quiet moments and the loud ones, making you question if you're doing enough or getting it all wrong.

In this episode, Angela and Sami are joined by Dr. Juhi, a pediatrician and parent coach, who shares how she went from disconnected and frustrated with her teen to building real connection through small shifts and a lot of grace. Together, they unpack how guilt can hold us hostage and how choosing compassion instead can actually make us better parents.

Here’s what we talk about:

• Why mom guilt is so common and how to stop letting it define your days
• The "awkward, mechanical, natural" framework that makes new habits stick
• Why setting boundaries doesn't make you a bad parent, it makes you an intentional one
• How self-care is not optional if you want deeper connection with your kids

If you're feeling stretched thin, stuck in guilt, or just need a reminder that your parenting doesn't have to be perfect to be powerful, this episode is your permission slip to breathe, reflect, and reconnect.

This is your reminder that showing up, even imperfectly, is more than enough. You’re not alone.

💛 Links + Resources:

• Follow Dr. Juhi on Instagram @DoctorJuhi
• DM her the word “guide” for a free download: 30 Ways to Connect with Your Kids Without Adding More to Your Plate

Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow mom, leave us a review, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an honest conversation that keeps you grounded and growing.

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When life hits hard—really hard—how do you get back up?

In this raw and powerful episode, Angela and Sami sit down with Nick Morrison, a former professional bull rider whose life was dramatically altered by more than 50 concussions. From chasing rodeo dreams to losing the ability to speak, Nick’s story is one of unimaginable setbacks and unshakable resilience.

Nick walks us through the highs of living his dream, the brutal reality of repeated head trauma, and how faith, grit, and a 15-minute rule helped him rebuild again and again. Whether you’re in a season of rebuilding or just feeling knocked around by life, this conversation is a must-listen.

In this episode:

• How Nick faced losing multiple identities and found purpose again
• What it really takes to forgive and let go of bitterness
• The "15-Minute Rule" that can change how you process hard things
• Why emotional honesty beats toxic positivity every time
• How he relearned to speak and now inspires thousands

This one is for anyone who’s ever thought, “I don’t know if I can keep doing this.”
 Spoiler: You can.

Connect with Nick Morrison:

• Book: Knocked Out, But Not Down – Buy it on Amazon
• Website: NickMorrisonComedy.com
• Instagram: @nickmorrisoncomedy

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Let’s be real. “Fine” is not the goal. And yet, so many couples find themselves stuck in the land of just-okay, coasting through life like roommates instead of staying deeply connected.

In this episode, Angela and Sami sit down with marriage coach and licensed counselor Karen Maloney to talk about how to wake up your relationship before it hits a breaking point. Karen shares her signature “Marriage Jolt” approach and why small, intentional shifts can reignite connection in powerful ways.

Whether your marriage feels stale or solid, this conversation will help you want more, reach for more, and create more in your relationship.

What we cover in this episode:

• Why being “fine” isn’t good enough
• How marriages drift into autopilot without us even noticing
• The difference between marriage therapy and coaching
• Why discomfort is sometimes the key to connection
• What a “Marriage Jolt” is and how to know when you need one
• How to invest in your relationship before it becomes a crisis

If you're feeling disconnected, tired of the same old patterns, or just craving more joy and intimacy in your marriage, this episode is your sign to take the next step. Go hit play and start your own Marriage Jolt today.

Resources:
Learn more or schedule a free curiosity call with Karen at karenmarriagecoaching.com

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What if self-care wasn’t just a luxury, but a life-saving, community-shifting, revolutionary practice?

In this episode, Angela and Sami sit down with the extraordinary Dr. Joi Lewis, a community healer, liberation facilitator, and author of Healing: The Act of Radical Self-Care. Dr. Joi introduces her signature Orange Method, a healing framework that includes meditation, mindfulness, emotional liberation, and conscious movement. She also shares how radical self-care is not about escaping life, but learning how to show up fully, with love, even when life is chaotic.

This conversation will challenge what you think self-care is supposed to look like. It’s not about checking out or being perfect. It’s about staying connected to yourself, to your community, and to your purpose.

💬 What We Talk About:

• Why self-care is not selfish, soft, or optional
• The four core elements of the Orange Method
• Emotional liberation and why it’s key to healing old wounds
• The importance of community in self-care
• How to reconnect to your humanity when the world feels heavy
• Practices to regulate your nervous system and build resilience
• Grief, friendship, and how to stay open when connection feels risky

This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like they were running on empty and needed permission to slow down. Dr. Joi’s wisdom will inspire you to not only care for yourself, but to see that act as a powerful form of resistance and healing.

To learn more about Dr. Joi’s work and how to order her book Healing: The Act of Radical Self-Care or her affirmation card deck, May the Revolution Be Healing, visit her website at www.joiunlimited.com

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Welcome to a delightfully unfiltered episode where Angela and Sami get grumpy, but not without a purpose.

This week, we’re talking about the everyday annoyances that poke at our peace and why those irritations often point to something deeper (hint: it’s not actually about pineapple on pizza).

From workout pain and pizza judgment to unhealed trauma and limiting beliefs, we explore what it means to hold space for people without letting them bleed all over your emotional carpet. It’s funny, it’s real, and it might hit a little close to home in the best way.

In this episode:

• Why it's not actually judgy to notice someone’s limiting beliefs
• The difference between whining and expressing emotions (and why it matters)
• What to do when people refuse to grow and it’s affecting you
• The sugar-mood connection no one wants to admit (thanks a lot, Angela)
• Why personal growth sometimes makes you the “bad guy” in someone else’s story

Whether you're deep in your healing era or still figuring out how to set boundaries without setting bridges on fire, this episode gives you permission to be both self-aware and a little grumpy about it.

This isn't your typical self-help chat. It's real, it's hilarious, and it might just change the way you handle your own triggers and tough conversations. If you've ever felt drained by someone else's drama or caught yourself avoiding growth, this episode is your mirror and your motivation. Watch now, laugh with us, and let’s go deeper together.

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What if competition isn’t the problem? What if it’s how we’ve been thinking about it?

In Part 2 of our conversation with Jake Thompson, keynote speaker, leadership coach, and Chief Encouragement Officer at Compete Every Day, Sami and Angela dig into what healthy competition really looks like in everyday life. From comparing yourself to others, to keeping score in relationships, to the subtle ways ego shows up in our drive to win, this episode is packed with honest stories and powerful takeaways.

Jake shares why striving to be your best often leads to better outcomes than trying to be the best. Together, they explore how competition can be fuel for growth, how to surround yourself with people who push you higher, and how to know when your drive has started costing too much.

You’ll hear practical ways to:

• Compete in a way that sharpens, not drains, you
• Balance ambition with empathy and curiosity
• Use comparison as a tool for growth instead of shame
• Build community that celebrates winning together

If you’ve ever struggled with comparison or felt like your worth was tied to the scoreboard, this episode will help you reset your mindset and rediscover what success really means.

Listen now to learn what healthy competition truly looks like and how to use it to become your best self.

🎙️ This is Part 2 of our conversation with Jake Thompson.
If you missed Part 1, check out Episode 192: “I Stopped Competing With Everyone, Here’s What Happened.” Start there to hear how Jake shifted from chasing others to growing from within.

💡 Resources and Links Mentioned

Connect with Jake Thompson
Website: https://www.competeeveryday.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakethompsonspeaks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakethompsonspeaks

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Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at [email protected].

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What if the person standing in your way isn’t your competition at all but you?

In this episode, Sami and Angela sit down with Jake Thompson, keynote speaker, leadership coach, and Chief Encouragement Officer at Compete Every Day, to talk about what it really means to compete with yourself instead of everyone else. Jake opens up about how years of chasing other people’s success left him feeling drained and unfulfilled, and how shifting his focus inward completely changed his perspective.

Together, they explore how to balance ambition with peace, drive with gratitude, and growth with rest. This conversation is about redefining what winning looks like, learning to enjoy the process, and realizing that self-care is not selfish, it is strategic.

You will walk away knowing how to push yourself without burning out, find satisfaction without settling, and build habits that help you show up as your best self every day. If you have ever felt like you are always running but never arriving, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and rediscover what it means to grow in a healthier way.

Listen now to learn how to stop competing with everyone else, start growing into your best self, and go be freaking awesome.

🎙️ This is Part 1 of our conversation with Jake Thompson.
Part 2 drops next week and dives into how competition shows up with others and how to turn comparison into connection.

💡 Resources and Links Mentioned

Connect with Jake Thompson
Website: CompeteEveryDay.com
Instagram: @JakeThompsonSpeaks
LinkedIn: Jake Thompson
Podcast: Compete Every Day Podcast

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Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at [email protected].

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Have you ever stopped yourself from telling a story because you thought, “Well, that’s not important enough” or “That’s too small, nobody cares about that”? Or maybe you’ve worried that if you share your story, people will think you’re being too vulnerable, too much, or (worst of all) a little bit “woe is me.”

That’s exactly why Sami and Angela were so excited to sit down with Sara Lohse on this episode of Be Freaking Awesome. They first met Sara at PodFest and instantly knew she needed to be on the show. Sara is a storyteller, podcast producer, and author who can take something as simple as a pen and turn it into a powerful connection moment that sticks with you. (And yes, she shares a pen story in this episode!)

What makes Sara stand out is how approachable she makes storytelling feel. You don’t have to have some giant, traumatic, dramatic event in your past to be a storyteller. You don’t need to sound like a polished keynote speaker. You just need to notice the everyday moments and share them in ways that make people say, “Oh my gosh, me too.”

In this conversation, listeners will discover:

• Why the everyday, ordinary stories connect better than the “headline” ones.
• How to strike the right balance between too many details and not enough.
• The mindset shift that takes the pressure off: your story isn’t really about you.
• Practical tips for practicing storytelling without feeling like you’re “performing.”
• And plenty of laughs about exaggerating stories just a little for effect.

If you’re a business owner, a coach, a speaker, or just someone who wants to connect more authentically, Sara’s wisdom and humor will help you see your stories in a whole new light.

So grab your coffee, pull up your notes app (or your favorite pen 😉), and press play right now. By the end of this episode, you’ll feel inspired to stop waiting for the “perfect” story and start sharing the ones you already have, because your stories are freaking awesome.

You can find Sara Lohse and grab her book Open This Book at openthisbook.com. You’ll also find her socials and more resources there.

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Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

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Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at [email protected].