Compass Stories

Seth Yelorda shares insights on leading with clarity, understanding the difference between clarity and certainty, and how faith influences personal and organizational growth. He discusses the importance of purpose, faith, and resilience in navigating life's challenges.

Guest Bio:

Seth Yelorda is a transformational speaker, personal growth strategist, and leadership coach dedicated to helping individuals unlock their full potential and create lives of impact and fulfillment. As the founder of Vision Clarity Consulting, he empowers high achievers to cut through the noise, develop unwavering confidence, and cultivate the mindset and habits necessary for sustained success.

With a unique blend of academic expertise—holding an MBA, an MA in Organizational Psychology, and completing his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior, Seth merges deep personal insight with transformational leadership principles. Through his work he equips individuals and organizations with the tools to gain clarity, overcome obstacles, and achieve their most ambitious goals.

Residing in Riverside, CA, with his wife, Holly, and their three daughters, Seth is committed to helping people lead with intention, embrace growth, and create extraordinary lives filled with purpose, passion, and impact.

Sound Bites

"Clarity is like a map, certainty is like a compass"

"Help leaders become more compass driven and less map dependent"

"You're drifting towards shame, fear, or guilt"

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Seth Yelorda and the episode's focus

01:50
The origin of Seth's focus on clarity from past experiences

03:59
The difference between certainty and clarity

06:00
Using the compass metaphor for leadership and life

09:02
The importance of identity, values, and self-awareness

12:02
Navigating doubt, fear, shame, and guilt in decision-making

13:53
The role of faith, hope, and love as a guiding orientation

17:02
Personal faith, divine partnership, and co-creation

19:53
The relationship between faith and action in life and work

22:49
Trusting divine sovereignty during hardship and suffering

29:58
The story of Job and trusting God's sovereignty in adversity

36:03
Practical steps for maintaining faith and clarity in difficult times

42:58
The importance of purpose, motivation, and living intentionally

44:58
Seth's hopes for his children and legacy

46:57
Connecting with Seth Yelorda and closing remarks

Resources

Connect with Seth on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-yelorda-25b2aaa7/

Seth’s Website:

https://sethyelorda.com/

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicasterlingspeaks/

Connect with Veronica on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/veronicasterlingspeaks

Veronica’s Website:

https://www.veronicasterling.com

In this episode, Jackie Stilling shares her journey of self-discovery, healing, and the importance of curiosity and the pause in personal growth. She discusses how recognizing triggers from the past and embracing vulnerability can lead to greater self-awareness and freedom.

Guest Bio: Jacqui Stilling is an experienced therapist using mostly psychodynamic therapy which can help patients find freedom from being seduced by feelings and underlying/old emotions. When old defenses stop working, therapy can help one make meaning of maladaptive behaviors and begin creating new ways of being. She is a certified supervisor for LCPC's/LGPC's or anyone who would like a deeper psychodynamic way of looking at patients and the world. I offer supervision after an initial interview determining compatibility. She is also the founder of The Both/And Way which is a total wellness endeavor offering retreats, classes, coaching, and corporate presentations.

Jacqui is available to teach Mindfulness and Meditation to individuals or groups and to speak to parents' groups teaching Mindful Parenting, Parenting Emerging Adults, and How Parents can Cultivate Emotional Muscle to parent Children of all Ages.

Keywords

self-awareness, healing, vulnerability, triggers, curiosity, meditation, retreat, boundaries, self-care, personal growth

 Key Topics

• The importance of curiosity in healing
• Recognizing triggers from the past
• The difference between being okay and being capable
• The significance of the pause and meditation
• Setting boundaries and self-care after deep work
• The impact of childhood stories on adult behavior
• The second arrow concept in emotional response
• The process of writing and sharing personal stories
• The journey of aging and self-acceptance

Chapters

00:00 Embarking on a Healing Journey

00:41 Introduction to Compass Stories

00:45 Navigating Change in Life

00:50 Introduction and Background

03:01 The Importance of Connection and Community

04:54 Understanding Boundaries and Self-Care

07:33 Self-Marriage Ceremony: A Journey of Commitment

10:53 Breaking Free from Societal Expectations

13:16 Recognizing Triggers from the Past

17:16 Navigating Emotional Responses

21:05 The Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery

23:57 Curiosity as a Tool for Growth

27:34 Healing the Inner Child

28:54 Navigating Relationships and Expectations

30:45 Understanding Love and Self-Worth

32:27 The Second Arrow: Managing Emotional Pain

35:50 The Journey of Healing: Is There an Endpoint?

37:14 The Complexity of Human Emotions

39:12 The Role of Therapy in Personal Growth

40:48 Embracing Aging and Self-Acceptance

43:21 Finding Grace and Tenderness

48:25 The Power of Meditation and Mindfulness

51:43 Sharing Your Story: A Path to Healing

54:29 New chapter

Resources:

Connect with Jacqui: https://www.thebothandway.com/

Connect with Veronica: https://www.veronicasterling.com

Rodger Ruge is the Chief Resilience Officer for Pathfinder Resilience. In this conversation, he shares the experience that created a fracture in him, and he shares what he’s learned about growth and resilience in the 30 year journey back to wholeness.

Order Rodger's New Book: https://www.amazon.com/Honor-Temple-Vanguards-Precision-Stewardship-ebook/dp/B0HLLSSB12?ref_=ast_author_mpb

After two decades in high-intensity law enforcement units—including SWAT and motors—Rodger faced the kind of internal battle no tactical training could prepare him for: complex PTSD. Among the first in the U.S. to undergo EMDR, he chose a different path forward—one of healing, truth-testing, and peak potential.

From living among monks to training under Indigenous Shamans and martial arts masters, Rodger spent the last 30 years separating fluff from function in the world of wellness.

Today, Rodger serves as the Chief Resilience Officer at Pathfinder Resilience and is a trusted guide to executive leaders who are ready to build bulletproof resilience while creating extraordinary, high-performance culture

Keywords

resilience, personal growth, organizational culture, vulnerability, leadership, mental health, balance, self-love, stress management, transformation

Key topics

• Definition of resilience and its two parts: bouncing back and growth
• The importance of a growth mindset in adversity
• The significance of body, mind, spirit balance
• Lessons from monks, shamans, and martial arts masters
• The power of love and self-love in resilience
• Overcoming the myth of self-reliance in trauma
• Practical tools for self-regulation and emotional mastery

Sound Bites

• "Love is the hardest but most powerful path"
• "All parts of us are trying to protect us"
• "Create your own lifeline, save yourself"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Roger Rouge and His Journey

00:00 Lessons from Monks, Shamans, and Masters

00:28 Welcome to Compass Stories

00:32 Navigating Change in Life

00:37 Navigating Change in Life

01:24 Introduction to resilience and guest background

03:31 The two parts of resilience: bouncing back and growth

05:30 Stepping Forward When Uncertain

09:35 Learning to Build Your Cadre

13:20 Honor the Temple

18:55 Crash and Burn Experience

24:22 Repairing the Fracture

26:14 One Lesson Learned

30:07 Our Triggers are Clues

39:10 What Hindsight Reveals

44:29 Is Suffering Benefiting You?

49:21 "Stuck" in Average?

53:54 Rodger's Wellness Pet Peeve

55:42 Final Thoughts

57:19 Thank You for Listening

Resources

Email Rodger: [email protected] 

Rodger on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rodgerruge

Pathfinder Resilience: pathfinderresilience.com

Connect with Veronica: https://www.veronicasterling.com

In this engaging conversation, Kelly Roehm emphasizes the importance of redefining self-doubt, embracing fear, and finding balance in self-promotion. She discusses the role of data, the significance of delusion and audacity in pursuing goals, and the responsibility of leaders in fostering confidence within their teams. The dialogue also explores the concept of purpose in work and self-mastery, challenging the notion that fulfillment must come solely from one's job. In this conversation, Kelly Roehm and Veronica Sterling explore the concepts of mattering and purpose in the workplace, discussing the importance of feeling seen and heard. The discussion emphasizes the need for self-awareness, self-advocacy, and the role of leaders in fostering a supportive environment. Kelly shares insights from her coaching experience, highlighting the significance of personal growth and the value of recognizing one's strengths.

Guest Bio:

Kelly Roehm is the founder of Gumption, a career coaching and personal branding company that helps professionals, women especially, turn the work they're already doing into language that gets them recognized, promoted, and paid what they're worth. She spent 20 years inside corporate HR and talent before she left to build Gumption, so she's sat on the other side of the table and knows exactly what the people making hiring and promotion decisions are actually looking for. She calls her approach speaking to impact: the shift from describing your job to proving what changed because you were in it. These days Kelly lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she runs Gumption and works with clients across the country. Her take is simple: most people aren't behind, they just haven't learned to tell the story of what they've already done.  

Sound Bites

00:00 "Fear does not mean you aren't qualified."

09:54 "Only sociopaths are never connected to emotion."

17:01 "Be more delusional and audacious."

19:14 "Act as if you've already achieved it."

20:50 "You might not be instantly good at it."

26:28 "Your purpose is much bigger than work."

27:55 "Mattering is a very innate, basic human need."

28:17 "People don't even feel seen or heard."

33:28 "We all can't be Gandhi."

41:46 "You as a leader play a very significant role."

 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kelly Roehm's Journey

02:55 Redefining Self-Doubt and Confidence

05:55 The Role of Data in Overcoming Self-Doubt

09:02 Embracing Fear as a Natural Emotion

11:45 The Journey of Realization and Learning

14:57 Navigating Career Transitions and Next Steps

18:03 The Power of Delusion and Audacity

20:55 Leadership's Role in Building Confidence

23:58 Finding Purpose in Work vs. Self-Mastery

27:55 The Importance of Mattering

30:01 Finding Purpose in Work and Life

35:53 Navigating Career Crises

40:57 The Role of Leaders in Employee Well-being

45:57 Self-Advocacy and Team Advocacy

49:06 Coaching and Personal Growth

Resources:

Kelly’s Website:

https://www.get-gumption.com/

 Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellylroehm/

 Connect with Kelly on Instagram:

@kelly.gumption

 Veronica’s Website:

https://www.veronicasterling.com

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicasterlingspeaks/

Connect with Veronica on Instagram:

@veronicasterlingspeaks

Chris Perry shares his journey from police officer to senior citizen resource officer, highlighting the importance of forgiveness, balance, and resilience in overcoming trauma and building a meaningful life.

Guest Bio:

Chris Perry has spent more than 30 years in law enforcement, including with the Cincinnati, Ohio Police Department. He currently serves as the Senior Citizen Resource Officer for Amberley Village - a position he started after just a three days long retirement. Today he provides support and resources to elderly community members, engages in public speaking event to raise awareness about PTSD and mental health ,and advocates for others in need as a member of the Peer Support Team and volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association.

Keywords

mental health, trauma, resilience, forgiveness, senior care, police, PTSD, growth, balance, purpose

Key Topics

• Chris Perry’s background as a police officer and his transition to senior resource work
• The importance of building trust and relationships with seniors
• The impact of trauma and loss on mental health and the journey through PTSD
• The role of forgiveness in healing emotional wounds
• The significance of balance and being present in everyday life
• Lessons learned from overcoming adversity and failure
• The value of peer support and community in mental health recovery
• The importance of purpose and continuous growth in later years

Takeaways

• Forgiveness is essential for healing and moving forward.
• Balance in life and being present can significantly improve mental well-being.
• Failure is a part of success; persistence and resilience matter.
• Building trust and relationships can transform community work.
• Sharing stories and experiences helps others realize they are not alone.
• Self-care and prioritizing mental health are crucial for sustained well-being.

Sound Bites

• "Isolation kills slowly, but it will."
• "You have to have enough gas in the tank."
• "Balance is what life is all about."

Resources

Connect with Chris Perry:

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-perry-5b108887/

Connect with Veronica:

https://www.veronicasterling.com

In this episode of Compass Stories, Veronica talks to Jen Blalock and Shelby Mundy, exploring their personal journeys into this unique profession. The conversation explores grief, identity, and discovering purpose after loss.

By sharing a personal story and professional insight, the women reflect on multifaceted role of death doulas, emphasize the importance of emotional and spiritual support in the dying process, societal perceptions of death, and the significance of agency for the dying.

Keywords

Death Doula, End-of-Life Care, Shamanism, Spiritual Guidance, Personal Agency, Emotional Support, Legacy Projects, Empowerment, Grief, Compassionate Care grief, identity, purpose, death doula, community, festival, mental health, end-of-life planning, healing, spirituality

Sound Bites

00:00 "We are not there to heal their bodies."

11:09 "We bring in the spirit and the emotions."

16:27 "It's a very new demographic."

17:25 "We honor and respect all points of view."

20:56 "Death was never on his radar."

27:01 "We can be genuinely who we are."

30:01 "He was living in his full power."

32:37 "He was no longer afraid to die."

35:20 "This was always a part of the plan."

52:38 "Embrace the passage."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Death Doulas

01:29 Personal Journeys to Becoming Death Doulas

06:04 Understanding the Role of a Death Doula

13:02 Agency and Empowerment in the Dying Process

22:07 Shamanism and Spiritual Guidance in Death Doula Work

30:43 Legacy Projects and Lasting Impact

31:14 Navigating Grief and Identity Loss

36:24 Finding Purpose After Loss

38:29 The Before I Die Festival: A Community Conversation

51:02 Embracing Death as a Teacher

Resources

Before I Die Festival:

https://www.beforeidiecincinnati.com

Jen and Shelby's Death Doula Work:

https://www.deathdoulacincinnati.com

International End of Life Doula Association:

https://inelda.org/

Connect with Veronica:
https://www.veronicasterling.com

In this episode, Veronica Sterling reflects on the key themes from Season One of Compass Stories, focusing on four pillars: agency, identity, action, and connection. She shares insights gained from her guests, personal blind spots she identified, and lingering questions. Veronica discusses her hopes for Season Two, including new hypotheses to explore.

Takeaways

Agency is often about recognizing what we can control and what we cannot.

Identity plays a crucial role in how we perceive our life stories.

Taking action can precede confidence, but what drives that action?

Connection with others can enhance our resilience but can also have negative impacts.

Exploring the nuances of agency is essential for understanding personal responsibility.

The journey of self-discovery is ongoing and requires reflection.

Perfectionism can hinder our ability to take action.

Our sense of identity can be threatened by both positive and negative changes.

Quality connections can either empower or constrain our agency.

The exploration of these themes will continue in Season Two.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Season Two

01:58 Reflections on Season One

02:49 Exploring the Pillars: Agency

07:33 Exploring the Pillars: Identity

10:43 Exploring the Pillars: Action

12:32 Exploring the Pillars: Connection

15:21 Looking Ahead: Season Two Hypotheses

Reesources

Connect with Veronica: https://www.veronicasterling.com

In this episode, John Kelly shares insights on failure, resilience, and the importance of having tough conversations with others. Discover how embracing failure as a learning tool can transform your life and relationships.

Guest Bio:

National keynote presenter and law enforcement life coach, Retired Sgt. John Kelly faced several attempts on his life from suspects over his 30 year career in law enforcement. None of these attempts came as close to killing him, as he did to killing himself. "Surviving Self-Inflicted Wounds, A Deputy's Life of Redemption" chronicles his life journey. An alcoholic, addict, and adulterer, confronting PTS, and suicidal ideation, John tears open his life, to provide a roadmap to personal accountability and growth. His “Sometimes Heroes Need Help” Program takes a tactical approach to personal development and team building. John's vulnerability in discussing his failures gives the audience permission to forgive themselves and more importantly the courage and strength to keep getting up, striving to be better today than yesterday.

Key Topics

The importance of embracing failure as a learning opportunity

The role of tough conversations in relationships and growth

The myth of bouncing back and the real meaning of resilience

The impact of seasons in life and how to navigate them

The importance of community and support in overcoming storms

The dangers of victim mentality and empowering self-responsibility

Sound Bites

"Seasons change, and so do we."

"Love enough to have tough conversations."

"Your story is a never-ending book."

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and guest background
• 03:27 Failure as a moral obligation to share lessons
• 06:47 The OODA loop: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act
• 11:42 Training for a triathlon as a metaphor for failure
• 16:44 The importance of early intervention and tough conversations
• 25:08 Protecting your peace and setting boundaries
• 33:38 Seasons of life and personal growth
• 41:43 The power of community and support systems
• 49:54 Overcoming victim mentality and taking responsibility
• 58:33 The simplicity of reaching out and having honest conversations
• 1:06:43 The significance of presence and human connection
• 1:07:51 Lessons learned from travel and life experiences
• 1:16:55 Redefining resilience and moving forward with uncertainty
• 1:39:59 The ongoing journey of self-improvement and growth [1, 2]

Resources

Connect with John

www.lawenforcementlifecoach.com

John on LinkedIn

John Kelly | LinkedIn

John's Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/law-enforcement-life-coach-sometimes-heroes-need-help/id1618348574

Connect with Veronica

https://www.veronicasterling.com

In this final travel diary from the road, Veronica shares the adventure of traversing in the back country of Canyonlands National Park. She shares the 3D Value Check for choosing our core values and aligning our actions to it.

Key topics

• Using adventure as a metaphor for life's journey
• The importance of defining and displaying core values
• Making decisions aligned with personal values
• The concept of a 3D values check
• Trusting your direction without seeing the entire road

Takeaways

• Your core values should guide all aspects of your life, not just work or family.
• Visible actions aligned with values indicate you're on the right path.
• Decisions should be based on alignment with values, even if uncomfortable.
• Trust the direction of your values, even when the road is unclear.

Sound Bites

• "Where's the road? I can't see the road."
• "Use your values as your compass."
• "Decide what to do based on alignment."

Chapters

00:00Exploring the White Rim Road

07:52Navigating Life's Uncertainties with Core Values

Resources:

Connect with Veronica

https://www.veronicasterling.com

In this insightful conversation, Mary Vicario shares her personal journey from education to trauma-informed care, emphasizing the importance of creating safe spaces and understanding behavior as communication. Discover practical strategies for fostering resilience and healing in both children and adults.

Guest Bio

Mary Vicario, LPCC-S is the Founder of Finding Hope Consulting and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor, Certified Trauma Specialist who holds a Certificate in Traumatic Studies from Bessel van der Kolk’s Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute. 

Through her affiliation with the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute at Wellesley College and ongoing training at Harvard Medical School, Mary translates Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) and neuroscience into in-home and community-based trauma programming to build resilience and improve stability for individuals of all ages and ability levels. 

Sound bites

"Limits connected with safety give us felt safety."

"Shame makes people feel like they are the mistake."

"Resilience is adaptation, not bouncing back."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and guest introduction

01:02 Mary Vicario's background and journey

03:20 Story of Sue and Steve: Building trust and safety

1033:18:52 The importance of saying no before saying yes

17305:32:24 Applying trauma-informed principles in adult life

20333:19:08 Using limits and safety to foster healing

24111:05:50 Creating safe spaces and the significance of safety signs

26916:39:13 The brain's negativity bias and resilience

33416:39:13 Practicing fear and imagining success

36888:52:33 The power of positive prediction and visualization

43388:52:36 Trauma-responsive care and understanding behavior

52916:39:34 The layers of emotion: anger, sadness, fear

60999:59:46 The impact of shame and guilt on behavior

70138:53:12 The message of resilience and healing

83944:26:40 Resources and closing remarks

Keywords

trauma-informed care, resilience, safe spaces, behavior as communication, healing, education, mental health, neuroscience, connection, safety

Resources – Reading List From This Episode

Bruce Perry: What Happened to You: Conversations of Trauma, Resilience, and Healing

Lou Cozolino: The Neuroscience of Human Relationships: Attachment and the Developing Social Brain

Brene Brown: The Gifts of Imperfection

Daniel Siegel: Personality and Wholeness in Therapy: Integrating 9 Patterns of Developmental Pathways in Clinical Practice

Resources – Mentioned in This Episode

Chief Tom Synan on Compass Stories: Watch Full Convo Hear

Matthew Gellen on Compass Stories: Watch Full Convo Hear

Connect With Mary:

Home | Finding Hope Consulting, LLC

Connect with Veronica

https://www.veronicasterling.com