Creating Sunshine

What I'd Do Differently Starting My Personal Development Journey Over Again

If you could go back to the beginning of your personal development journey, what would you do differently? In this solo episode, Sarah gets personal and shares the four things she wishes she had done sooner — lessons learned through 2.5 years of consuming without acting, a business coaching investment that came too early, a stage 3 cancer diagnosis, and a season of rebuilding everything from the inside out.

This episode is for the woman who's consuming all the content, listening to all the podcasts, and still feels stuck. It's for the woman who's waiting until she's drowning to ask for help. And it's for the woman who thinks personal development is something you turn to only in a crisis.

Sarah breaks down four honest, actionable lessons — so you can stop waiting and start moving.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why waiting until you're "ready" or "have it figured out" is keeping you stuck — and how getting support earlier changes everything
• The 80/20 rule applied to personal development: how to stop productive procrastination and start taking real action
• Why personal development is not one-size-fits-all — and how experimenting with different modalities (breathwork, Reiki, coaching, therapy) helps you find what actually works for you
• Why the best time to start your personal development journey is before a crisis — and how the tools you build in the good seasons carry you through the hard ones

Resources & links mentioned:

• Your Next Chapter — 1:1 Mindset Coaching with Sarah
• Follow Sarah on Instagram
• Join the 7-Day Mindset Reset Challenge
• Get your free Sunshine Moments download
• Join Sarah's email list

If this episode resonated with you:

Please take a moment to rate and review Creating Sunshine on your favorite podcast platform — it helps other women find the show and the support they didn't know they needed. Hit follow so you never miss an episode, and share this one with a friend who's been consuming without moving.

Keywords: personal development for women, mindset coaching, self-growth tips, 80/20 rule personal development, breathwork benefits, how to get out of a rut, women's empowerment podcast, resilience, self-improvement, Creating Sunshine podcast

Episode summary

Sarah sits down with their dear friend Rae for a real, free-flowing conversation about the season they’re both in: releasing what’s no longer aligned, creating from a “clean vessel,” and choosing legacy, peace, and community on purpose. They share why in-person connection is the next chapter for both of them—and invite listeners into their next Full Moon-inspired event designed for happy healing, movement, and activation.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why creation often follows release (and how the full moon supports that cycle)
• Using your voice as legacy: podcasts, YouTube, music, and messages that live on
• Rae’s creative process: turning hypnotherapy scripts + journal writing into Spotify songs (with AI voices)
• Sarah’s recent speaking experience at Women Who Rise and the importance of receiving support
• Why community matters: you don’t have to heal or grow alone
• “Happy healing”: doing deep work without it being heavy the whole time
• The courage muscle: how to show up even when you feel intimidated

Creating Sunshine Activation Party

• Date: May 2
• Time: 2:00–5:00 PM
• Location: Private residence in Carson, CA (address shared after ticket purchase)
• Tickets: Early bird $65 | 2-for $125
• Includes community connection, guided activities for release + creation, and ends with a sound bath.

• Creating Sunshine Activation Party

About Rae Can (Positive Life Rituals):

Rae is a Reiki Hypnotherapist and the creator of Positive Life Rituals, offering immersive healing experiences in Redondo Beach and online. Their work helps people gently unravel unconscious patterns, release emotional blocks, and reconnect with inner authority through a blend of Reiki, hypnotherapy, and subconscious integration.

Connect with Rae:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positiveliferituals
• Website / bookings: https://positiveliferituals.com
• Podcast: SOUL BREW | Healing Conversations over Tea: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjyCgBA0cW33m_vdQy8C0vppJR3tPQ1Je&si=jvfnPg0octKAgzru
• Music: search Positive Life Rituals on Spotify, or listen here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Bh9L2MsqIeFjv6ujLamU2?si=ofu_6n_tQ4WOGM3B8RdzRg

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine!  Your support means the world to me, and I’m so grateful you’re part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform.  Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don’t forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there’s so much more sunshine to create together!

Let’s stay connected:

• Your Next Chapter 1:1 Coaching
• Follow me on Instagram
• Join my email list
• Join the 7-Day Mindset Reset Challenge
• Get your free Sunshine Moments download

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there’s always a way to create a little sunshine.  Until next time, keep shining bright!

Life doesn’t always follow the plan, and that doesn’t mean you’re failing. In this solo episode, Sarah shares a powerful reminder that it’s okay to be “late,” miss a deadline, or need extra time to process. She recaps the Women Who Rise event in Columbus, Nebraska, what happens when you get in the right room, and why safe community can change everything.

Sarah also opens up about grief, showing up through hard seasons, and the mindset shift that helped her stop letting the past punish the future. If you’ve been doing life alone, this episode will encourage you to step into connection, prioritize mind-body-soul healing, and remember that a supported, healed woman is unstoppable.

In this episode

• Why it’s okay when life makes you “late”
• How community and events can accelerate healing and growth
• The moment Sarah realized she was “punishing her future” because of her past
• Why being in the room matters as much as being on the stage
• How grief and release can pause productivity, and why that’s valid
• A new way to think about self-care: mind, body, and soul
• A peek at Sarah’s new 1:1 coaching offer with customized support

Key Moments

• 00:38 — It’s okay if you’re late
• 01:07 — Women Who Rise recap + the power of getting in the room
• 04:55 — “I was punishing my future because of my past”
• 06:44 — Grief, commitment, and showing up anyway
• 09:13 — Community gets you through the hardest seasons
• 15:18 — Coaching isn’t one-size-fits-all (new 1:1 support options)
• 18:45 — Releasing trauma and letting yourself process
• 21:42 — Monthly giveaway reminder

Ready to take the next step?

• Book a free 30-minute clarity call
• DM Sarah on Instagram to talk about 1:1 coaching
• Share this episode to your stories and tag Sarah to enter the monthly giveaway (send a screenshot if your account is private)

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine!  Your support means the world to me, and I’m so grateful you’re part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform.  Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don’t forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there’s so much more sunshine to create together!

Let’s stay connected:

•  Ways to get into my world

• Follow me on Instagram

• Join my email list

• Join the 7-Day Mindset Reset Challenge

• Get your free Sunshine Moments download 

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there’s always a way to create a little sunshine.  Until next time, keep shining bright!

In this special 100th episode of the Creating Sunshine Podcast, I’m joined by my two favorite people in the world—my daughters, Emma and Bella—to celebrate how far this journey has come over the last two and a half years. We talk about what “creating sunshine” means in real life, what they’ve learned from watching me take risks and build a dream, and the behind-the-scenes moments you don’t get to hear on the mic.

Emma shares her hilarious (and very honest) take on what it’s like living with a multi-passionate mom who’s always brainstorming new ideas, plus the confidence lesson she learned from auditioning for her school musical. Bella tells the sweet story of being “Celebrity Student,” showing her talent first, and inspiring other kids to be brave—plus her best confidence tip: just go for it while you still can.

If you’ve ever wondered how your dreams impact your family (or you’re a mom building something meaningful), this episode is a reminder that your kids are watching—and they’re learning courage, kindness, and what it looks like to keep going.

In this episode, we cover:

• Celebrating 100 episodes of the Creating Sunshine Podcast
• How Emma and Bella describe “creating sunshine” (bright, happy moments)
• What’s changed in our family since I became self-employed
• Behind-the-scenes reality of recording with kids (and technical hiccups)
• Lessons on taking risks: “Just do it” and “just go for it”
• A confidence story from Bella: being Celebrity Student and inspiring others
• Emma’s mindset going into her Alice in Wonderland musical audition
• Kindness, the golden rule, and not being “booty people”

Favorite quotes:

• “Creating sunshine means finding happy moments in the things you already do.”
• “You will never leave an experience in the same place you were before it—even if it doesn’t go the way you wanted.”
• “Treat people the way they want to be treated.”

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine!  Your support means the world to me, and I’m so grateful you’re part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform.  Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don’t forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there’s so much more sunshine to create together!

Let’s stay connected:

• Ways to get into my world
• Follow me on Instagram
• Join my email list
• Join the 7-Day Mindset Reset Challenge
• Get your free Sunshine Moments download

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there’s always a way to create a little sunshine.  Until next time, keep shining bright!

In this episode of Creating Sunshine, Sarah sits down with Roni McGuire, founder of Shine On & Glow and creator of the Motifesting Method®—a framework that blends mindset, vision, focus, and action.

Roni shares her transformation from Wall Street executive to entrepreneur and explains how women can leverage the skills they’ve built through careers, motherhood, and community leadership to create their next chapter—without starting from scratch.

You’ll also hear a deep dive into The Artist’s Way and two simple, powerful practices Roni teaches to spark creativity and clarity: morning pages and weekly artist dates. Plus, why community is a shortcut to growth, why “no” can be a good thing, and how to take aligned action that makes your goals feel more effortless.

What you'll learn:

• Roni’s story: Wall Street executive → mom → founder of Shine On & Glow
• The Motifesting Method® (Motivation, Imagination, Focus, Taking action)
• Manifesting with intention and joy (not hustle)
• How morning pages clear mental clutter and help you lead your day
• How artist dates reopen your “receiving channel” for ideas and creativity
• Why any day can be your “January 1” reset
• The power of community (and finding people slightly ahead of you)
• Reframing hard moments to release what’s blocking your next level
• JOBO: the joy of being offline + simple ways to reduce phone distraction

Resources:

• The Artist’s Way (Julia Cameron)
• Roni’s Shine On & Glow community + Artist’s Way book club
• La Dolce Visione: Artist’s Way retreat (Amalfi Coast, Italy)
• ShineOnAndGlow.com

Connect with Roni:

• Instagram: @shineonandglow
• Website: shineonandglow.com

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine!  Your support means the world to me, and I’m so grateful you’re part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform.  Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don’t forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there’s so much more sunshine to create together!

Let’s stay connected:

•  Ways to get into my world

• Follow me on Instagram

• Join my email list

• Join the 7-Day Mindset Reset Challenge

• Get your free Sunshine Moments download 

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there’s always a way to create a little sunshine.  Until next time, keep shining bright!

In this solo episode of the Creating Sunshine Podcast, Sarah talks about the power of community, connection, and friendship—and why real support can change everything. After doing market research on Instagram, Sarah noticed one message coming through loud and clear: women are craving in-person connection. She shares why she’s transitioning The Sunshine Era from a virtual membership into an in-person community (based in Southern California), plus what she’s creating next.

Sarah also opens up about her personal journey through divorce and cancer—and how the difference wasn’t the difficulty of the situation, but the support system she had (or didn’t have). If you’ve been trying to do life alone, feel isolated, or know you need “your people,” this episode will help you rethink what community can do for your healing, your confidence, and your bigger dreams.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why community is an investment in yourself (and why you can’t pour from an empty cup)
• What Sarah learned from her IG market research: connection and friendship are the biggest need right now
• Why in-person meetups can fill your cup longer than texting, calls, or Zoom
• The real difference between going through divorce alone vs. having support during cancer
• How vulnerability creates safety and gives others permission to share their stories
• Why you need multiple communities (not one person) for all your needs
• How community supports your goals, your healing, and your business growth
• What’s coming next for The Sunshine Era (in-person community + ongoing support between meetups)

If you’re local to Southern California and want details on the in-person Sunshine Era community, DM or email Sarah to get connected—details are dropping soon.

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine!  Your support means the world to me, and I’m so grateful you’re part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform.  Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don’t forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there’s so much more sunshine to create together!

Let’s stay connected:

•  Ways to get into my world

• Follow me on Instagram

• Join my email list

• Join the 7-Day Mindset Reset Challenge

• Get your free Sunshine Moments download 

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there’s always a way to create a little sunshine.  Until next time, keep shining bright!

If you’ve been feeling the pull to create something more, but your full-time job and real life already take so much from you, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Creating Sunshine, Sarah sits down with Erin Mikayla (corporate professional + entrepreneur behind EMC Bartending and Queen of Collaborations) to talk about what it really looks like to build a dream after work.

This is not a “hustle harder” conversation. It is a real, encouraging reminder that you can build a meaningful business in the margins of your life, stay consistent with limited time, and protect your energy while you grow.

• How Erin balances corporate life and entrepreneurship (the real-life rhythm of a “5–9”)
• Why you do not have to quit your 9–5 to take your dream seriously
• What strategic scheduling looks like when you only have 10 hours a week
• How to decide what deserves your time when everything feels important
• What to do on the days you’re tired, overwhelmed, and tempted to quit
• Boundaries, systems, and mindset shifts that help you avoid burnout
• Leading with heart in corporate and breaking unhealthy leadership cycles
• Why collaboration and community can make growth feel lighter
• The first step to take this week if you feel stuck and “behind”
• Permission to want more, even if your job is “good” and your life is stable

Let this be it: you are not late, you are not lazy, and you are not asking for too much. You are allowed to build a life that fits you.

In this episode, we talk about:If you need a sign…

Connect with Erin: https://www.instagram.com/behind_emc/

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine!  Your support means the world to me, and I’m so grateful you’re part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform.  Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don’t forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there’s so much more sunshine to create together!

Let’s stay connected:

      - Ways to get into my world

• Follow me on Instagram

• Join my email list

• Join the 7-Day Mindset Reset Challenge

• Get your free Sunshine Moments download 

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there’s always a way to create a little sunshine.  Until next time, keep shining bright!

In this episode of the Creating Sunshine Podcast, Sarah sits down with brand photographer Kaysha Van Der Heyden of Branding by Kaysha to talk about confidence, body image, and what it really takes to show up on camera. If you have ever said “I’ll book photos when I lose weight,” or you avoid being in pictures with your family, this conversation is your gentle push to take the photo now.

Kaysha shares why being “comfortable in photos” is not something you either have or don’t have. It is a skill you can practice. They also talk about the pressure of perfection online, the rise of AI headshots and “AI twins,” and why real visibility matters more than polished perfection when you are building trust for a service-based business.

What you'll learn:

• Why so many women avoid photos, and how that impacts both business and family memories
• How to stop waiting for a “future version” of you to be visible
• How brand photography helps clients picture themselves working with you
• Why the photo experience matters as much as the final images
• Practical tips to look better in photos immediately (no special camera needed)
• A grounded take on AI headshots, AI twins, and authenticity online
• How Kaysha’s membership model supports consistent content all year

Practical tips from Kaysha (quick list)

• Turn off indoor lights and face a window for softer, flattering light.
• Get an iPhone tripod + Bluetooth clicker for self portraits and family photos.
• If you spiral after seeing photos, stop looking for a week, then revisit with “softer eyes.”
• Practice being in photos more often so your brain normalizes what you look like now.

About Kaysha: Kaysha van der Heyden is a personal brand photographer and the founder of Branding by Kaysha. Kaysha helps women overcome body image struggles and show up confidently in front of the camera through story-driven brand photography that reflects their real personality, power, and presence.Links & resources (as mentioned)

• Website: Branding by Kaysha
• Instagram: @brandingbykaysha
• Subscribe to Kaysha’s newsletter: https://brandingbykaysha.myflodesk.com/xafwunb59k
• 5-Day Self-Portrait Challenge: https://brandingbykaysha.myflodesk.com/waluucbq0t
• Email: [email protected]

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine!  Your support means the world to me, and I’m so grateful you’re part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform.  Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don’t forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there’s so much more sunshine to create together!

Are you looking for support, encouragement, and a community of like minded women who hold each other accountable while growing together? Join The Sunshine Era today!

Let’s stay connected:

• Ways to get into my world

• Follow me on Instagram

• Join my email list

• Join the 7-Day Mindset Reset Challenge

• Get your free Sunshine Moments download 

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there’s always a way to create a little sunshine.  Until next time, keep shining bright!

When something painful ends, the impact does not automatically end with it. In this solo episode, Sarah talks about the pressure people put on you to “be over it” because the event is in the past, and why healing follows a timeline that belongs to the person living it, not the people watching it. You’ll learn how to recognize when someone’s impatience is really their discomfort, how to ask for the support you actually need, and how to stop over-explaining yourself to people committed to misunderstanding you.

In this episode, you’ll learn

• Why “it’s over, so you should be over it” is one of the most harmful messages someone can hear while healing
• The difference between an event being over and the emotional, physical, and spiritual impact being over
• What’s often underneath other people’s impatience with your healing (discomfort, avoidance, projection)
• How to set a new standard for support: people who don’t rush you, minimize you, or shame your emotions
• A boundary to remember: stop over-explaining yourself to people committed to misunderstanding you
• How to “keep your heart” while giving with wisdom and safety
• A closing reminder for moving forward without punishing your future for your past

Resources:

Check out my new website: creatingsunshine.net

1:1 coaching

Book a FREE clarity call

.

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine!  Your support means the world to me, and I’m so grateful you’re part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform.  Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don’t forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there’s so much more sunshine to create together!

Are you looking for support, encouragement, and a community of like minded women who hold each other accountable while growing together? Join The Sunshine Era today!

Let’s stay connected:

• Ways to get into my world

• Follow me on Instagram

• Join my email list

• Join the 7-Day Mindset Reset Challenge

• Get your free Sunshine Moments download 

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there’s always a way to create a little sunshine.  Until next time, keep shining bright!

When you're diagnosed with breast cancer, you're often told you only have one option for reconstruction. You're told your nipples can't be saved. You're told you'll need tissue expanders and multiple surgeries over a year or more. But what if everything you've been told isn't the whole truth?

In this powerful episode, I sit down with my breast reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Dhivya Srinivasa, to have the conversation every woman facing breast reconstruction needs to hear. Dr. Srinivasa is double board-certified in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery with fellowship training in microsurgery. She's the founder of The Institute for Advanced Breast Reconstruction in Los Angeles, and she's changing the game when it comes to breast cancer reconstruction.

We dive deep into the reconstruction options you actually have, the truth about sensation preservation, how to choose your dynamic duo of breast surgeon and plastic surgeon, and why comprehensive care matters beyond just the surgery itself. I share my own journey from being told I'd lose my nipples and need over a year of surgeries to the completely different outcome I experienced with natural tissue reconstruction.

This episode is six months post-surgery for me, and I'm sharing my real experience—the good, the challenging, and the silver lining Dr. Srinivasa talks about that you can't see when you're in the thick of your cancer journey. If you're facing breast reconstruction or supporting someone who is, this conversation will empower you to ask the right questions and advocate for the care you deserve.

Dr. Dhivya Srinivasa is a double board-certified surgeon in both General Surgery and Plastic Surgery with fellowship training in microsurgery. She is the founder of The Institute for Advanced Breast Reconstruction in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Srinivasa specializes in natural tissue breast reconstruction using microsurgical techniques including DIEP flap surgery. She is passionate about sensation preservation, comprehensive patient care, and empowering women through their breast cancer journey.

Approximately 60% of her patients travel to see her from outside the Los Angeles area, including other states and countries. She has also founded Avara, a health-inclusive skincare line for women going through hormonal changes, cancer treatment, and other health journeys.

Connect with Dr. Srinivasa:

• Website
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdhivyasrinivasa/ https://www.instagram.com/the.iabr
• Avara Skincare

.

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine!  Your support means the world to me, and I’m so grateful you’re part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform.  Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don’t forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there’s so much more sunshine to create together!

Are you looking for support, encouragement, and a community of like minded women who hold each other accountable while growing together? Join The Sunshine Era today!

Let’s stay connected:

• Follow me on Instagram

• Join my email list

• Join the 7-Day Mindset Reset Challenge

• Get your free Sunshine Moments download 

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there’s always a way to create a little sunshine.  Until next time, keep shining bright!