Best Wellness Interviews

What if resilience means knowing when to pause, not simply pushing through? Toni Rodolfo Benson shares how chronic stress can affect health and performance, why simple self-care and rest matter, and how grief touches both mind and body. She also discusses supporting people without trying to fix their loss, reaching out for help, and taking small steps toward recovery.

(0:00) From Nursing to Coaching

(3:08) Burnout, Pressure, and Resilience

(10:25) Simple Self-Care and Rest

(13:25) Grief, Loss, and Healing

(26:38) Resilience, Support, and Next Steps

How can curiosity help us stay purposeful through changing careers, technologies, and life stages? Doug Thompson shares how consistent effort, physical goals, and recovery from setbacks build resilience. He also explores gratitude, storytelling, and human connection as ways to shift perspective, earn trust, and turn difficult experiences into a meaningful legacy.

(0:00) Introduction and Doug Thompson

(2:07) Reinventing Through Curiosity

(5:45) Exercise, Mindset, and Gratitude

(9:03) Storytelling in Sales and Life

(15:10) Resilience Through Loss and Recovery

(21:23) Physical Goals and Legacy Work

Kristine Best speaks with Carolyn Wilman about mindfulness, mental health, and the many turns of a career built around contests, marketing, and writing. Carolyn shares how early podcasting, motherhood, unemployment, and setbacks shaped her path, along with lessons from Helene Hadsell and the power of trusting the journey. They discuss Words for Winning, sweepstakes systems, the impact of words and attention, and how small actions can shift a life. The conversation also covers publishing, translations, audiobooks, AI, trauma-informed language, intuition, and why winning can be a mindset as much as an outcome.

(0:00) Introduction and guest welcome

(1:03) Changing environments for mindfulness and mental health

(2:35) Carolyn Wilman’s career: contests, marketing, and the “three crowns”

(3:45) Early podcasting, Helene Hadsell, and trusting the journey

(5:18) Expanding into books, translations, and Words for Winning

(7:46) Career changes, unemployment, motherhood, and sweepstakes systems

(10:31) Purpose, small actions, and life-changing moments

(13:41) Power of words, unique gifts, and finding your path

(15:39) Teaching hope, empowerment, and the joy of winning

(16:52) Focus, energy, and the impact of attention

(18:49) Learning more: contestqueen.com and Words for Winning

(20:12) Helene Hadsell’s mindset and lessons from reading aloud

(22:59) The work and persistence behind sweepstakes

(24:17) Reflections on perspective, conversation, and Australia

(26:05) Australia’s vastness and the appeal of mystery flights

(30:19) Career setbacks, sweepstakes, mindset shifts, and new directions

(33:14) Copyright scare and the path to legacy publishing

(38:10) Updating self-published books and audiobooks

(41:38) Nonfiction writing tips, dictation, and using AI

(44:05) Trauma-informed writing and mindful language

(45:18) Sweepstakes as a path to positivity and mindset

(49:01) Different niches and why not everyone should chase the lottery

(51:03) How lottery winners handle sudden wealth

(52:30) Trusting your inner voice for life changes

(54:04) Intuition in daily decisions and relationships

(55:19) Closing reflections and gratitude

Kristine Best engages with Koli Cutler to explore her journey into sign language and its impact on wellness through work and human connection. They delve into the differences and proficiency in sign languages, discussing the Deaf community's perspectives and the influence of technology on communication. Koli shares her experiences at the United Nations and the complexity of simultaneous interpretation. They discuss the global diversity of sign languages and Koli's career passion, highlighting her upcoming book, "Views from the Bridge." The conversation emphasizes community involvement, charity, and the inclusion of sign language in music events, ending with closing remarks on future plans.

(0:00) Introduction and Koli Cutler's Background

(1:11) Differences and Proficiency in Sign Languages

(3:31) How Koli Got Into Sign Language

(6:08) Wellness Through Work and Human Connection

(12:10) Deaf Community Perspectives

(15:49) Impact of Technology on Communication

(24:28) Teaching Basic Signs

(28:02) Complexity of Simultaneous Interpretation

(30:25) Experience at the United Nations

(34:02) Number of Sign Languages Worldwide

(35:05) Career Journey and Passion for Sign Language

(37:24) Upcoming Book: "Views from the Bridge"

(38:20) Staying Updated on the Book Release

(39:20) Key Message for Listeners

(41:00) Importance of Community Involvement and Charity

(42:15) Inclusion of Sign Language in Music Events

(42:30) Appreciation of Music by Deaf Individuals

(42:37) Closing Remarks and Future Plans

Kristine Best welcomes Rachel Kerr Schneider to discuss her mission and the challenges women face in corporate environments, including the gender pay gap and evolving roles. Rachel shares her personal journey with ALS, explaining its impact and her experience coping with a spouse's illness. They explore alternative treatments and critique the healthcare system. The conversation highlights building resilience and leadership in women, emphasizing spiritual well-being. They address the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, statistics, and stigma, along with the disconnect between doctors and patients. Rachel shares her projects, resources, and upcoming book releases, concluding with a message of hope and faith.

(0:00) Introduction, guest welcome, and Rachel Kerr Schneider's mission

(1:21) Challenges women face in corporate environments and the evolution of women's roles

(4:23) Gender pay gap and workplace culture

(7:15) Rachel's personal journey with ALS

(10:09) Explanation of ALS and its impact

(12:02) Coping with a spouse's illness

(16:18) Exploring alternative treatments

(21:00) Issues with the healthcare system's approach

(26:20) Building resilience and leadership in women

(30:06) The importance of spiritual well-being

(32:38) The impact of COVID-19 on mental health

(36:15) Mental health statistics and the stigma of diagnosis

(39:08) The disconnect between doctors and patients

(40:54) Rachel Kerr Schneider's current projects and resources

(43:36) Rachel's personal story and upcoming book releases

(44:27) Final message on hope and faith

Kristine Best and Rocky Haag explore human connection challenges in the digital age, rethinking capitalism for sustainability, and the nurturing nature of women amidst tech impacts. They discuss personal growth, faith, trauma recovery, and the importance of mental health and balance. The episode covers storytelling in business, aligning ethics with community values, and the Theory of Relevance. Rocky shares insights on flexible work, AI's role in the workplace, and spiritual wellness. They conclude with reflections on self-programming, meditation, learning from failure, and future plans.

(0:00) Introduction and guest background

(2:02) Human connection in the digital age

(3:07) Rethinking capitalism and cleaning up our planet

(6:05) The nurturing nature of women and technology’s impact

(7:55) Human aspects in organizations

(9:31) Personal growth, faith, and trauma recovery

(13:09) Importance of the natural world

(16:43) Mental health and finding balance

(19:36) Storytelling and collaboration in business

(24:48) Aligning ethics and community values

(26:12) Theory of Relevance and human connection

(27:18) The power of genuine human interaction

(30:29) Flexible work and autonomy

(32:27) Collapse of traditional hierarchies

(33:14) AI’s role in the workplace

(35:19) Spiritual perspectives on wellness

(37:17) Self-programming and meditation

(39:28) Elevating identity and purpose

(41:39) Learning from failure

(42:45) Conclusion and future plans

Join Kristine Best as she chats with Pamela Johnson about her inspiring journey in veterinary science. From early career transitions to selling her practice, Pamela shares insights on building emotional connections and her mission with Pet Lovers United to bridge gaps between vets and pet owners. They discuss mental health in the field, training methods, and the human-animal bond, emphasizing pet owner empowerment and the impact of pet care on well-being. Topics include therapy pets, euthanasia decisions, and adoption responsibilities. Discover how to connect with Pamela and explore the future of pet care.

(0:00) Introduction, Pamela Johnson's background, and connection to Australia

(2:37) Early career and transition to veterinary science

(5:55) Building, selling a veterinary practice, and emotional connections

(11:23) Pet Lovers United: mission and current focus

(14:15) Structure, leadership, and the impact of owner emotions on pets

(20:45) Bridging gaps between veterinarians and pet owners

(22:30) Mental health and burnout in the veterinary profession

(27:12) Training methods and natural horsemanship

(30:55) Consulting, education, and webinars for pet owners

(32:12) Detecting and managing pet pain

(33:02) Empowering pet owners for better care

(34:54) Pet care’s impact on human well-being

(37:08) The human-animal bond and its significance

(39:03) Pets in healthcare and therapy settings

(42:03) Navigating pet euthanasia decisions

(43:25) Lessons from pets living in the moment

(45:11) Pet adoption, responsibility, and commitment

(45:40) Contact information and social media

(46:45) Global relevance and future of pet care

Kristine Best sits down with Sora Vernikoff to explore her journey from early struggles with weight to developing a behavioral approach to wellness. Sora critiques quick-fix solutions and diet culture, emphasizing the importance of internal change and emotional transformation. They discuss why diets often fail and the yo-yo effect. Sora introduces her program, highlighting its benefits and approach, while addressing challenges in helping others embrace change. The conversation covers moderation, realistic expectations, and aligning methods with personal readiness. Sora shares insights on her book, the writing process, and finding freedom with food. She concludes with thoughts on authenticity, courage, and self-grace.

(0:00) Introduction, guest background, and Sora’s journey

(2:36) Early struggles with weight and behavioral approaches

(6:38) Critique of quick-fix solutions and diet culture

(9:39) Internal change, readiness, and emotional transformation

(15:12) Why diets don't work and the yo-yo effect

(18:32) Sora's program: benefits and approach

(21:43) Challenges in helping others and willingness to change

(27:16) Sharing information and connecting with people

(28:37) Moderation, pacing, and realistic expectations

(29:32) The reality of weight loss and quick-fix temptations

(32:08) Aligning methods with personal readiness

(33:16) Getting in touch with Sora and her book

(34:18) Authenticity, courage, and the writing process

(36:49) Taking control and finding freedom with food

(37:44) Final thoughts: Having grace with yourself

Join Kristine Best as she chats with Patrick Eilers, founder of Bloomwork's Concepts and Coaching. They explore supporting therapists, fostering healthy work cultures, and balancing business ownership with clinical practice. Patrick discusses managing clinician turnover, maintaining client flow, and the importance of clinician-client relationships. They also touch on psychometric testing, team cohesion, and the impact of practice culture on client experience. Patrick shares insights on balancing seriousness with fun, community involvement, and leadership's role in business strength. Tune in for valuable insights and learn how to connect with Patrick.

(0:00) Introduction, guest background, and founding Bloomberg's Concepts and Coaching

(3:04) Supporting therapists and fostering a healthy work culture

(6:09) Balancing business ownership and clinical practice

(9:05) Addressing diverse needs of clients and therapists

(12:57) Managing clinician turnover and the value of exit interviews

(15:47) Maintaining client flow and business growth

(18:20) Developing structured frameworks for therapy practices

(20:03) Adapting individual practices to group settings

(22:03) Coaching business people globally

(23:24) Importance of clinician-client relationships

(26:22) Psychometric testing and team cohesion

(29:26) Team brainstorming and addressing internal conflicts

(34:42) Motivation for helping mental health practices

(38:01) Impact of practice culture on client experience

(39:27) Balancing seriousness and fun in the workplace

(43:23) Community involvement and team-building activities

(43:58) Final thoughts for business owners and therapists

(44:17) Admitting struggles, learning from others, and overcoming helplessness

(46:43) Leadership’s role in business strength

(47:52) Contact information, closing remarks, and gratitude

(49:12) End of episode

Kristine Best sits down with Kimberly Collins to explore the intersection of business and personal well-being. Kimberly shares insights on using policies, frameworks, and personality tools like the Enneagram to foster self-awareness and a positive company culture. She discusses her transition from orthodontics to coaching, addressing stress and burnout along the way. The conversation delves into coaching strategies for wellness, personal health routines, and Kimberly's hobbies and charitable endeavors. They also tackle misconceptions about success, the balance between achievement and satisfaction, and the dangers of hustle culture. Discover how to connect with Kimberly and access helpful resources.

(0:00) Introduction and guest background

(1:39) Policies, frameworks, and personality tools in business

(4:13) Using the Enneagram for self-awareness and culture

(7:04) Shortcuts in operations vs. personality understanding

(9:08) Kimberly’s transition from orthodontics to coaching

(12:04) Addressing and managing stress and burnout

(16:39) Coaching strategies for wellness

(19:56) Personal health and well-being routines

(21:49) Kimberly’s interests, hobbies, and charitable work

(29:38) Misconceptions about successful people

(30:30) Balancing success and internal satisfaction

(31:57) Dangers of hustle culture and self-care

(33:18) Final thoughts and personal growth

(34:39) Connecting with Kimberly Collins and resources