Bounce Back Stronger with Donna Ferris

“It’s not necessarily that I got over the fear, but that the desire to go for it just got to a point where it overrode the fear of failure.”

What happens when you stop waiting for the perfect moment and decide to go for it?

This week, as we mark National Coming Out Day, I’m especially glad to share this conversation with queer artist Brittany Ann Tranbaugh.

In 2023, Brittany made a big leap: she left her day job to pursue music full time. Since then, she’s played more than 300 shows, toured nationally, released her debut album Lucky Broke Girl, and earned recognition from the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, American Songwriter Magazine, and No Depression Magazine, which named her a “Queer Country Artist to Watch in 2026.”

But Brittany’s story is about much more than becoming a successful musician. It’s about having the courage to be who you are, pursue what matters to you, and redefine success along the way. We talk about moving through fear, taking small steps toward what you want, the power of community and generosity, and letting go of the pressure to have everything figured out.

We also talk about Brittany’s beautiful song “For Caroline,” an “existential lullaby” inspired by her niece and her desire to keep building a beautiful world with hope in it. (She shares the song in the episode.)

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m too old, too late, too practical, or too scared to start,” this conversation is for you.

To learn more about Brittany Ann, please visit her website brittanyanntranbaugh.com

If you’re navigating a transition, wondering what’s next, or simply ready to create more joy, purpose, and connection in your life, I’d love to stay connected. Visit donnayferris.com to sign up for my newsletter and learn more about my books, coaching, and other resources.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to episodes with other artists, including Episode #83 with singer Vienna Teng and Episode #18 with Caldecott winner Micha Archer.

And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.

#BounceBackStronger #BrittanyAnnTranbaugh #QueerArtist #QueerCountry #CountryMusic #FollowYourDreams #TakeTheLeap #RedefiningSuccess #OvercomingFear #NationalComingOutDay #positivepsychology

Background music is “Some Kind of Wonderful” by NuAlkemi$t

"For Caroline" by Brittany Ann Tranbaugh is shared with permission of the artist

“Nobody is born knowing how to manage money well. It has to be learned at some point. It is a learned skill.”

What can give women security, freedom, and choice?

Financial freedom (and it may be more attainable than you think).

In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, I sit down with Leah Hadley, a nationally recognized financial empowerment expert, author, speaker, accredited financial counselor, certified divorce financial analyst, mediator, and host of the Intentional Divorce Insights podcast. Leah has nearly two decades of experience helping women make sound financial decisions and build more intentional financial futures.

We explore why financial empowerment matters for women at every stage of life—and why you don't have to be a “numbers person” to become confident with money.

We talk about:

Leah's message is simple and encouraging: you don't need to know everything about money before you begin. Start where you are, set the judgment aside, get clear about your situation, and take the smallest step you can toward the future you want.

To learn more about Leah and her financial services, visit greatlakesdfs.com.

If you’re navigating a transition, wondering what’s next, or simply ready to create more joy, purpose, and connection in your life, I’d love to stay connected. Visit donnayferris.com to sign up for my newsletter and learn more about my books, coaching, and other resources.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to other business episodes, including Episode #25 with Saradha Sriram or Episode #42 with Eric Koester.

And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.

#FinancialEmpowerment #WomenAndMoney #FinancialConfidence #FinancialIndependence #MoneyManagement #WomenAndFinance #BounceBackStronger #divorce #resilience #podmatch

Background music is “Some Kind of Wonderful” by NuAlkemi$t

“I don't know that we ever get over it so much as we learn to hold them both at once.”

What can a children’s book teach us about handling difficult emotions, practicing kindness, and navigating life’s hardest moments?

A lot.

In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, I talk with renowned meditation teacher and author Sharon Salzberg about her children’s book, "Kind Karl: A Little Crocodile with Big Feelings." The book introduces children to mindfulness, breathing, kindness, and a simple but powerful idea: when difficult or unkind thoughts arise, we can notice them without automatically believing them.

Sharon and I talk about how these tools can help children—and why adults need them just as much.

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, longtime meditation practitioner, or simply someone trying to navigate life with a little more kindness and steadiness, there is something here for you.

To learn more about Sharon, please visit her website www.sharonsalzberg.com

If you’re navigating a transition, wondering what’s next, or simply ready to create more joy, purpose, and connection in your life, I’d love to stay connected. Visit donnayferris.com to sign up for my newsletter and learn more about my books, coaching, and other resources.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to an earlier Sharon episode, Episode #11 or Episode #27, with Stephen Cope.

And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.

#SharonSalzberg #KindKarl #Mindfulness #Meditation #LovingKindness #Kindness #EmotionalRegulation #Equanimity #Resilience #MindfulParenting #BounceBackStronger

Background music is "Some Kind of Wonderful" by NuAlkemi$t

After 100 episodes of Bounce Back Stronger, we look back at some of the most meaningful wisdom guests have shared about resilience, hope, healing, purpose, and finding joy.

You'll hear powerful moments about moving through anxiety and fear, finding peace through meditation, setting healthy boundaries, embracing joy, building meaningful connections, sharing your gifts, and recognizing the extraordinary in everyday life.

After 100 conversations, we've learned that bouncing back stronger isn't just about getting through the hard stuff. It's about using what we've been through to create a life that feels intentional, connected, purposeful, and joyful—a life we're not simply getting through or trying to escape, but actually enjoying along the way.

Thank you to all our guests and listeners for being part of the journey. Here's to the next 100.

If you enjoyed listening to the guests featured in this episode, their Bounce Back Stronger episode links are below:

Please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.

To inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com/coaching. Donna Ferris’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. Her guided meditations can also be found on Insight Timer.

And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or contact your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.

#BounceBackStronger #Resilience #Hope #FindingJoy #Purpose #PersonalGrowth #MentalWellness #Mindfulness #Inspiration

“The body knows the way home even when we've lost our way.”

Why do so many of us spend our lives trying to please others, chase perfection, and live up to expectations—only to end up exhausted, disconnected, and wondering who we really are?

In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, Donna Ferris sits down with coach, podcaster, and spiritual teacher Monica Rodgers to explore how people-pleasing, perfectionism, and self-doubt keep us stuck—and how we can begin reclaiming our authentic selves. While these patterns often show up in women because of societal conditioning, the insights from this conversation apply to anyone ready to live more authentically.

Together they discuss:

If you've ever felt like you've spent your life living for everyone else, this conversation offers hope, wisdom, and practical tools to help you reconnect with who you truly are.

To listen to Monica’s podcast The Revelation Project or learn about her coaching services, visit jointherevelation.com.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode 48, This One’s for the Women Who Do Too Much with Pete Sidley, and Episode 63, Unleashing the Power of She with Crystal Jackson. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.

To inquire about meditation instruction or coaching, visit donnayferris.com/coaching. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. Her guided meditations can also be found on Insight Timer.

And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.

#PeoplePleasing #Perfectionism #Healing #PersonalGrowth #Authenticity #resilience

“That doesn't mean we stop moving while we wait for clarity. It means we take the next intuitive step. Or, in a kayak... We dip the paddle. One stroke at a time.”

What if resilience isn't about having a perfect plan—but simply taking the next step?

In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger Reflections, Donna shares how learning to kayak after being laid off became an unexpected lesson in trust, hope, and embracing uncertainty.

As she paddles across a quiet lake surrounded by great blue herons, bald eagles, and the sounds of nature, she discovers a powerful reminder: we rarely see the whole picture while we're living it. Like an eagle soaring high above, there may be a larger perspective we simply can't access yet.

If you're navigating career transitions, grief, burnout, or an uncertain season of life, this gentle reflection offers encouragement to trust the process—even when the destination isn't yet visible.

You'll discover:

Sometimes hope begins with just one paddle stroke.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #91 – “Letting Go of Control: How to Find Peace When Life Feels Uncertain.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.

Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To provide feedback on this podcast or suggest topics, please email [email protected].

Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website and on Insight Timer.

And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.

#MentalHealth #Mindfulness #Healing #BurnoutRecovery #SelfCare #GriefHealing #Meditation #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #PodcastRecommendation #BounceBackStronger

“People are not composed of a single one-dimensional story…Everybody's complicated.”

What does it mean to truly belong?

Award-winning multimedia artist Anila Quayyum Agha has spent her life exploring this question through breathtaking installations of light, shadow, and intricate patterns. Behind her internationally celebrated artwork is an extraordinary story of resilience.

After immigrating to the United States, Anila faced loneliness, discrimination, financial hardship, and the challenge of building a new life while raising a child. Rather than allowing those experiences to diminish her, she transformed them into stunning art that invites us all to see one another with greater curiosity, compassion and humanity.

In this episode, we discuss:

If you've ever wondered where you truly belong, this episode is for you.

To learn more about Anila’s art and showings, please visit anilaagha.com.

If you found this episode helpful, you might want to listen to Episode 36, “Resilience in Full Color,” with Judith Bigham or Episode 18, “The Healing Power of Wonder,” with Micha Archer.  Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.

If you are interested in Donna's guided meditations, visit donnayferris.com/meditations or insighttimer.com/donnayferris. To join our free weekly Centering Group, please email [email protected].

Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. Click here to subscribe to, or read our latest newsletter. Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.

And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here, or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline is 1-877-330-6366.

#Resilience #Belonging #Creativity #PersonalGrowth #WomenEmpoweringWomen #Healing #Mindfulness #BounceBackStronger #AnilaQuayyumAgha

“This is a place where your body remembers how to be safe."

If you're awake right now, you're not alone.

This gentle sleep meditation is here for the middle-of-the-night moments when your mind feels busy, and your body won’t fully settle. Instead of trying to force sleep, we’ll create space for calm, safety, and ease.

Through soft breathwork, full-body relaxation, and a peaceful meadow visualization, you’ll be gently guided back toward rest—without pressure or expectation.

Whether sleep comes quickly or not at all, you are safe here. You are supported. You have permission to rest.

Designed for nighttime anxiety, overthinking, and waking in the night.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Donna's other meditations here or on Insight Timer.

Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com

Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.

And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.

#SleepMeditation #AnxietyRelief #InsomniaSupport #GuidedMeditation #SleepHelp #NervousSystemHealing #Mindfulness #BounceBackStronger

Music: Endless Sleep by Lost Ghosts

“I grew up in a very small town in the 70s. So when I had my first girlfriend in high school, we didn't have a name for ourselves. We didn't even know the word lesbian. We found it in a dictionary…in our high school library. And we're like, ‘That's what we are.’"

Your story could be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

In this episode, in honor of Pride Month, Jennifer Lee Selig shares how memoir writing can help people process trauma, discover who they are, and transform difficult experiences into stories that bring meaning, healing, and connection.

We discuss:

This conversation is full of wisdom for writers, caregivers, survivors, and anyone on a personal growth journey.

To learn more about Jennifer’s books, courses, and events, visit jenniferleighselig.com.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to episodes with other authors, including Episode 53 with Rita Zoey Chin and Episode 29 with Mira Bartok. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.

Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com

Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on Insight Timer.

And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.

#PrideMonth #RepresentationMatters #MemoirWriting #LGBTQCommunity #Healing #Storytelling #Trauma

“So often conversations and coaching goes straight to, ‘Here’s how you update your resume. Here’s what you do with your LinkedIn profile.’ And there’s nothing that says, ‘Listen, you need to pause. You’re gonna feel some grief. It’s gonna hurt, and here’s how you get through it.”

In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, author Steve Jaffe shares how losing a job impacts identity, mental health, relationships, and self-worth — and why the traditional “just update your resume” advice misses the point.

Drawing from his book, The Layoff Journey, Steve explains how the seven stages of grief can help people process layoffs, regain confidence, and navigate career transitions with resilience, acceptance, and hope.

In the episode, we discuss:

If you’re navigating a layoff, career transition, or burnout, this conversation will help you feel less alone.

To learn more about Steve and his book, visit thestevejaffe.com.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #55 “When Gratitude is Hard” with Eve Turek and Episode #44 “How Tami Adams Turned Job Loss Into Success.”

Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.

Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com

Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on Insight Timer.

And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.

#Layoff #CareerTransition #MentalHealth #JobLoss #Resilience #Podcast #BounceBackStronger #CareerAdvice #Healing #SteveJaffe #depression